Local elections by June unfeasible: CEC

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin stated on Monday that holding local government elections by June is not feasible, with the Election Commission prioritizing national elections targeted for December.  

Speaking at an event at the Election Training Institute in Agargaon, Dhaka, Nasir explained that the ongoing voter list update, which aims to remove 1.6 million deceased voters and include 3.5 million new voters, is expected to be completed by June. "Without a finalized voter list, the commission cannot adequately prepare for elections," he said.  

Responding to the Local Government Reform Commission's suggestion to hold elections by June, Nasir noted that such a timeline would require bypassing the voter list update, which is not advisable. He emphasized that the commission's focus is on announcing the election schedule in October and conducting national elections in December.  

The CEC refrained from further commenting on the reform commission's recommendations, stating that they are entitled to their perspective. He reiterated the Election Commission's commitment to avoiding political debates and completing the voter list update efficiently.  

Addressing concerns about the current law and order situation, Nasir expressed confidence that stability would be restored by December, ensuring a conducive environment for free and fair elections.