The election office is not certain whether Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina would stick to her position on holding the upcoming general election without dissolving the current parliament and the cabinet.
“The prime minster recently said that the election would be held keeping parliament effective. But we do not know whether it is her final say,” Election Commissioner Abu Hafiz told reporters Wednesday.
Asked about Election Commission steps to ensure level-playing field if the parliament remains effective during the next general election, the commissioner said it would depend on political situation and the electoral system.
“The commission will take necessary measures to ensure a level-playing field depending on the situation ahead of the election,” said Hafiz.
Asked again whether the JS would be kept intact, he replied: “We are not clear about it because it is a political matter.”
Amid confusion over the polls-time administration, PM Hasina told secretaries on Monday that the general election would be held without dissolving the current parliament and the cabinet.
The polls would be held within the last 90 days of the parliament’s tenure, which ends on January 24. The House would not be in session and the cabinet would take no important policy decision during the 90-day timeframe (October 27 to January 24), the PM added.
Source: The Daily Star
