The 12th parliamentary election will be held on January 7 (Sunday), 2024 as Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal announced the polls schedule on Wednesday evening.
In a televised address to the nation at 7:00pm, the CEC unveiled the election schedule, asking all political parties to find a solution to the political disagreements over election and electoral system, which has lasted for a long time in the country.
The deadline for submission of nomination papers is November 30, while December 1-4 was fixed for scrutinizing nomination papers and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is December 17.
The announcement of the polls schedule came amid the ongoing 48-hour blockade called by BNP and like-minded parties to press home their one-point demand for the resignation of the current government.
But the Bangladesh Awami League is hell-bent for the arrangement of the national election under the present government.
The Election Commission is also determined to hold the next general election within the stipulated time as per its constitutional obligation.
The appeals against the decisions of the returning officers will be received and disposed of on December 06 to 15 and the electoral symbols will be distributed among the candidates on December 18.
The electioneering can be conducted from December 18 to 8:00am on January 05 (till 48 hours before the balloting).
The Commission has recently introduced two digital apps for the submission of nomination papers online from any place and another for the common people to glean polling stations and its polling related information.
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The CEC in his speech said a favourable political environment is essential for a free, neutral, participatory and festive election. But it has been witnessing disagreements in the country’s overall political leadership for a long time on the question of election, especially on the question of the institutional system of election, he said.
In multi-party politics, there can be ideological divisions. But if disagreements lead to conflict and violence, the emerging instability can leave an adverse effect on the electoral process, he said.
“Consensus and solutions are needed. I humbly request all the political parties on behalf of the Election Commission to seek amicable solutions avoiding conflict and violence,” said the CEC.
He called upon the people to cast their valuable voting rights in the election freely and fearlessly amid the festive atmosphere, coming to the polling stations by overcoming all worries, anxieties and discomforts.
“The Election Commission will always welcome the spontaneous participation and contest of all parties in the election,” said Habibul Awal.
“Compromise and solution through dialogue, avoiding mutual revenge and mistrust is not impossible,” he said, adding that absolute tolerance, mutual trust, tolerance and solidarity are the essential parameters for a sustainable and stable democracy.
According to the Article 123(3)(a) of the Constitution, there is a clear direction to hold a general election within the 90 days before the expiry of the term of the Parliament, he said.
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The CEC said the government has repeatedly expressed its clear commitment to make the upcoming parliamentary election fair, free, impartial, participatory and peaceful. The commission will also discharge its duties with honesty, integrity and sincerity, using its best ability and taking all necessary assistance from the government to make the upcoming parliamentary election a free, fair and peaceful one, he added.
The CEC asked all the participating political parties and candidates to follow the electoral code of conduct, while the officers who will be on election duty to apply the laws and rules properly and discharge the duties with honesty and sincerity.
He mentioned that his commission has so far conducted 16 parliamentary by-elections and more than 1000 local body elections in the last 20 months after assuming office.
The commission held dialogue and exchanged views with all stakeholders including interested political parties, intellectuals, academics, civil society members, senior journalists and election experts on several occasions. “We heard their opinions and recommendations. We also explained our position,” he said.
“We’ve also invited all disinterested political parties several times, but they rejected the invitation,” said Habibul Awal.
He said the election can be fair, free, impartial and participatory only through the concerted cooperation and participation of all concerned in the process.
If political parties, being motivated by democratic spirit, contest an election effectively by nominating their candidates, the balance of power between contesting parties is established at a polling station and the election is fairer and more meaningful, he said.
The CEC sought sincere cooperation from media and election observers saying that their roles are critical for a fair, neutral and transparent election.
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He said the transparency and impartiality of elections can be ensured if the voting process can be visible as much as possible through responsible and objective news reporting with proper use of digital technology.
“The Commission will extend sincere support and cooperation regarding media freedom in publishing objective news. On the other hand, all-out effort will be made to prevent any ill-attempt to influence the polling process and election by broadcasting untrue, false and fabricated information,” he said.
Habibul Awal asked the candidates to appoint the required number of brave, honest, competent and loyal polling agents at every polling station to protect the rights and interests as contenders.
“We believe that the upcoming 12th National parliamentary election will be free, impartial, participatory and peaceful through the display of responsible behavior and essential roles by all concerned from their respective positions. It ( the election) will be praised and credible at home and abroad,” he said.
The CEC finally sought sincere participation and active cooperation of the common people, including all political parties and rival candidates in the election process.
The EC has a constitutional obligation to complete the next general election by January 29, 2024 as the day the tenure of the current government (Parliament) will end.
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A total of 11,96,91,633 voters under 42,103 polling stations throughout the country will have rights to cast their votes in the 12th general election.
The last 11th parliamentary election was held on December 30, 2018.