Rajshahi, Barishal, Sylhet city polls on July 30
EC bars local MPs from campaigning
in respective constituencies
STAFF REPORTER
Chief election commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda yesterday announced the date on which three city corporation elections in Rajshahi, Barishal and Sylhet will be heldJuly 30. The three city corporation polls will be held on July 30. But the formal schedule of the elections will be announced on June 13. From that day, the aspirant candidates can buy nominations, the CEC said. He also said the last date of submission of nominations is June 28 and that scrutiny will be held on July 12. The withdrawal of nominations is on July 9 and the election symbols would be distributed on July 10. The appeals of aggrieved candidates would be received on July 35 and these appeals would be settled on July 68.
The CEC issued this statement to journalists at a press conference in Election Bhaban after holding a full meeting of the commission.
Nurul Huda said they are holding the three city polls after receiving clearance from the local government ministry, adding that there was no problem as regards delimitation and the
voter list as well as legal matters. He also announced the commission will hold elections to five municipalities and five upazila parishad polls on July 25.
In reply to a query, Nurul Huda said the local lawmakers are not allowed to take part in the election campaigns in the local government polls in their respective areas though other Members of Parliament (MPs) can participate in such election campaigns.
As the MPs dont hold any office of profit and they have freedom of movement and freedom of assembly as per the Constitution, the MPs have been allowed to take part in campaigns, he explained.
He said, We did not take the initiative to amend the electoral code of conduct of the city corporation elections under any pressure from the government or the ruling party. We felt the need for it. Besides, a delegation of the ruling party put forward this demand.
There is a chance that local lawmakers can influence the elections. So we have kept them out of the election campaign in their own areas, he added.
Earlier, on May 24, secretary of the Election Commission secretariat, Md Helal Uddin Ahmed, said all lawmakers would be allowed to take part in city poll campaigns, but the CEC yesterday said the local lawmaker would be barred from campaigning in his/her area in the city polls.
The CEC also said they would also amend the rules of the election code of conduct in the other local polls like municipalities and upazila parishads, allowing lawmakers to take part in election campaigns.
In reply to another query, he said, We are satisfied with the recently concluded Khulna city polls though there were some lapses. We formed a committee to monitor the elections. We would take steps in accordance with the recommendations of the committee.
Responding to another question, he said the electronic voting machines (EVM) would also be used in the Rajshahi, Barishal and Sylhet city corporation polls. Besides, EVMs would also be used in the Gazipur City Corporation elections on June 26. As per the local government (city corporation) law, the elections have to be held within 180 days of the expiry of the bodys five-year term.
According to the local government and rural development (LGRD) ministry, the tenure of Rajshahi City Corporation will end on October 5, Barishal on October 23 and Sylhet on October 8.
The last city corporation polls of Rajshahi, Barishal and Sylhet were held on the same day (15 June 2013).
