Dhaka: The government may revise, defer, or bring forward the election schedule announced by the Election Commission (EC) for local government elections, including Union Parishad polls, after consultations with the commission, Prime Minister's Information and Broadcasting Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman said on Tuesday. 'There is no decision or fixed timeframe from the government regarding the local government elections. The Election Commission has announced a date on its own. The government will hold the elections in coordination with the Election Commission,' he stated during a press briefing at the Press Information Department's conference room at the Secretariat.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Adviser Zahed mentioned that the schedule announced by the EC could be changed, postponed, or brought forward after discussions with the government. Referring to a statement by the State Minister for Local Government that the government has no decision or fixed timeframe for the polls, Zahed emphasized that the government would stand by the information provided by the minister. He noted that it cannot be definitively stated whether the election will be held on the date announced by the Election Commission. The government has made no such decision and will consider various factors, including whether all necessary preparations are in place, before deciding the timing. If necessary, the schedule may be advanced or deferred.
The adviser elaborated that the Constitution assigns the Election Commission direct constitutional responsibility for holding presidential and parliamentary elections, whereas other elections are conducted under relevant laws. Local government elections fall under the latter framework, which means the government has a role in deciding the matter. The situation differs for parliamentary elections, where the EC arranges the election within its constitutional authority as the tenure of Parliament approaches its end. However, in the case of local government elections, the government's decision is crucial.
When asked whether the EC had violated the law by announcing the local government election schedule, Zahed declined to give a direct answer, suggesting that journalists seek clarification from the Election Commission. He also addressed questions about a potential gap between the government and the EC over the announced schedule, clarifying that there is no conflict. The government will hold the election in coordination with the Election Commission and will make a decision on the timing based on various realities.
Zahed highlighted that no political party would directly contest the upcoming local government elections using party symbols. Instead, individuals will contest the polls, although candidates backed by different political parties will participate. He expressed hope that the elections would be participatory and return to a competitive environment without the use of party symbols. Additionally, Zahed mentioned the possibility of changing the law governing local government elections, allowing the government to directly conduct Upazila or Union Parishad elections in the future if such legislation is enacted.