Bangladesh News

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) ATM Shamsul Huda yesterday said the only objective of the Election Commission (EC) is to hold parliamentary polls by 2008.

“Many people might say many things. But we do not want to be misguided by their utterances,” Huda told journalists at the conference room of the Election Commission.

Responding to the demand for his resignation by a faction of the BNP, the CEC said the EC would forge ahead with its goal.

On holding the local government elections in opposition to the political parties, Huda said the EC had already announced holding of expired city corporation and municipality polls.

“Discussions with the political parties were held and they have no objection in this regard. They might have reservations about holding of the upazila polls. But the Election Commission has not yet taken any decision on the upazila elections. The government did not send any letter in this regard. We’ll consider it after getting letter from the government,” he said.

He said discussions are being held about upazila elections in May. The commission will take decision whether to hold national and upazila elections together or separately after getting letter from the government, he added.

The CEC said the commission has been reviewing the electoral reform proposals. It will be finalised after holding dialogue with the BNP.

Election commissioners Sohul Hossain and Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain and secretary of the Election Commission secretariat Humayun Kabir were present.