Election Commissioner Anwarul Islam has stated that the election has not been postponed due to government pressure at all. He clarified that the previously indicated potential timeline will be moved forward, considering the circumstances and to ensure that the education of millions of our students is not disrupted.
He made these remarks while responding to journalists’ questions at his office in the Election Commission building on Thursday (September 24).
He said, “The Election Commission is considering holding the elections at a later time, avoiding the November-December period, so that the public examinations scheduled then are not disturbed and young students can take their exams smoothly and in an orderly manner.”
He added that annual examinations typically take place in November-December. The Election Commission will determine the schedule with this in mind.
Possibility of Elections Starting in January
In response to a question about whether elections could start in January, Anwarul Islam Sarker said, “We hope that if the examinations conclude by December, then, Insha’Allah, we will be able to hold elections around January.”
However, stating that a specific date cannot be given yet, he added that it would not be appropriate to announce a definitive date before the schedule is declared.
When asked if local government elections were being postponed due to government pressure, the Election Commissioner emphatically stated, “Absolutely not, absolutely not. In light of the real situation, and to ensure that the education of millions of our students is not disrupted, the previously indicated potential timeline will be moved forward.”
He said, “Many people will say many things. But do you think the Election Commission has ever done anything under anyone’s pressure? The Election Commission does not act detached from reality. It does not go outside the law or the constitution. We work considering the constitution, the law, and the prevailing reality.”
Why Not Elections in November-December?
When asked why the plan for local elections in November and December was being changed, Anwarul Islam Sarker stated that many factors need to be considered when determining election timing.
He explained, “If elections were held in November, annual examinations would commence immediately after the 12th in all educational institutions. Furthermore, some intermediate examinations were postponed in certain areas due to floods. Educational institutions are striving to coordinate these exams and cover the post-examination syllabus.”
He further added that some educational institutions and roads have been damaged by floods. If election campaigns begin extensively amidst this, students will suffer. The Commission has also considered that the children of millions of candidates participating in the elections are also examinees.
Stating that law enforcement agencies are also busy with examinations, the Election Commissioner said, “Law enforcement agencies are engaged in these public examinations and in maintaining law and order. Therefore, it is indeed difficult to hold elections during this period.”
When asked if official correspondence had been exchanged with the government regarding the organization of local government elections, he replied, “We have reviewed our documents and found no instance where anyone officially dictates that elections must be held on a certain date or that a particular date would be convenient. There is no precedent for such written communication.”
However, he mentioned that the Election Commission seeks information on various matters concerning local governments, including election suitability, lawsuits, boundary demarcation, and term completion.
He stated, “Information is exchanged. The Election Commission Secretariat requests information on which unions are suitable for elections, pending lawsuits, boundary demarcation, and term expirations. They provide that information, and a work plan is formulated based on it.”
When asked if it would be possible to conclude voting by June 6 if elections began in January, Anwarul Islam Sarker said, “This is a potential timeline. If it starts in January, it is possible to complete voting by June 6. This is all provisional. We are not saying it will be specifically or definitively finished by June 6.”
When asked about the potential schedule if voting takes place in January, he stated that the schedule is being planned with a gap of 40 to 45 days from the probable election date.
He said, “We expect elections to be held in January, and we are considering a tentative schedule with approximately a 40-45 day gap from the election date. That is our plan.”
He further added, “If it’s January 1st, we will push back 40-45 days; if it’s January 5th, it will be calculated accordingly; if it’s January 20th, it will be calculated that way. The aim is to ensure no disruption to examinations.”
When asked when a final decision on local elections might be made, Anwarul Islam Sarker said, “Insha’Allah, it will be decided within one to two months.”
He informed that the Commission is developing a comprehensive plan, taking into account various factors such as Ramadan, Eid, Puja, SSC, and HSC examinations. “We are now thinking about everything with a holistic approach and preparing the documents accordingly,” he concluded.