No way to defer election date further: Nurul Huda

Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda has ruled out further deferral of the general election, which is now slated for December 30.

“There is no scope of delaying further. A new parliament must be formed by January 29,” he said at a programme of returning officers in Dhaka today.

He also pointed out Islamic religious congregations in January and Christian festivals to say: “We’ve considered a lot to set the date on December 30.”

The chief election commissioner instructed the returning officers likewise and asked them to prepare for a general election on December 30.

WHAT IS THE ISSUE OVER DELAY?

Major opposition political alliance Jatiya Oikyafront, which constitutes of BNP, has requested the Election Commission to delay the election by a month.

In opposed to the ruling party, which began its nomination form sale last Friday and has already completed it, the opposition parties began selling forms yesterday.

They have been saying that they need more time.

Today, an opposition party has claimed that the commission has fixed the date on a timing by which the government can avoid participation of foreign observers.

WHEN IS THE ELECTION?

Yesterday, a fresh election schedule was announced by the Election Commission.

According to the latest updates, the election will now be held on December 30, what was previously on December 23. Accordingly, the last date of nomination filing has been extended to November 28.

Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda has said the deferral has been made in perspective of opposition parties seeking delay in the election.

IS EVERYONE PARTICIPATING?

Chief Election Commissioner has said that there is a congenial atmosphere in the country – echoing the words of the ruling party.

However, major opposition alliances like the Jatiya Oikyafront, which includes BNP, and the Bikalpa Dhara-led Juktafront have sought for delaying the schedule.

Until thus far, it seems that the coming parliamentary election will not be the “non-participatory election” that was its predecessor.

All the major political parties are gearing up to contest in the election and there has been no threats of a boycott or withdrawal unlike the last time.

Source: thedailystar