An Election Commissioner on Saturday said the commission can rearrange its 10th general election schedule if it finds any specific proposal following a political compromise between the two major parties.
“We had been waiting for long a political compromise over the upcoming polls. The commission will reschedule the polls, if any specific proposal comes before it,” Election Commissioner Mohammad Abu Hafiz told reporters at his office.
About the BNP-led 18-party opposition alliance’s train-road-waterway blockade, Hafiz said the blockade is a political programme and the EC has nothing to say about it.
He, however, said preventing anyone from participating in the election is violation of the election code of conduct. “The EC will take legal action if anyone hampers the election process.”
Replying to a question, Hafiz, referring to a court verdict, said city corporation mayors and Upazila chairmen holding their posts are not eligible to contest the national election, but the incumbent municipality mayor has no bar to contesting the parliamentary polls, he added.
Asked if the commission will extend the deadline for submission of nomination papers due to the countrywide blockade enforced by the opposition alliance, he replied in the negative.
He, however, said if anyone faces trouble, the commission will take steps. ”We’ve already gave directions to the law enforcing agencies in this regard.”
On November 25, the Chief Election Commissioner announced the election schedule fixing polls for January 5.
Source: UNBConnect
