The Election Commission (EC) is considering starting the Union Parishad (UP) elections from January next year, saying there is no scope for holding the polls in November and December due to the annual examinations in schools.

“We usually see annual examinations being held in November-December. We will set the election schedule considering that. If these examinations are completed by December, we will, InshaAllah, be able to hold the elections from January,” Election Commissioner Md Anwarul Islam Sarker said on Thursday.

He said this replying to a question from reporters at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the city.

Earlier, the EC had announced a tentative plan to hold the UP elections in seven phases, with the first phase scheduled for November 12.

The commission held a meeting with representatives of different ministries, divisions and agencies concerned on September 17 to discuss the plan.

Representatives of several government ministries told the meeting that it would not be feasible to hold the elections in November and December.

The EC later said it would hold further discussions before finalising the election dates.

Anwarul rejected allegations that the commission moved away from its tentative election dates under pressure from the government.

“Many people will say many things. But have you seen the Election Commission doing anything under anyone’s pressure so far? The Election Commission does not do anything devoid of reality,” he said.

Mentioning that the EC works within the law and the Constitution, the election commissioner said, “We take the Constitution, law and reality into consideration.”

He said it is not appropriate to mention specific dates before announcing the election schedule.

Anwarul said the commission is considering holding the elections after November-December so that school examinations could be held without disruption and students could sit for their examinations without any hindrance.