Elections of five city corporations will be held in three phases by June this year. The decision was taken at a meeting presided over by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal at the EC office in Dhaka’s Agargaon. Election Commission secretary and other relevant officials were present at the meeting. Read more: EC is totally independent to conduct election: PM Hasina Election Commission Secretary Jahangir Alam said that Gazipur, Rajshahi, Sylhet, Khulna and Barishal city corporation elections will be held by June. The election schedule for these cities will be announced mid-April.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Thursday said that there is no opportunity for a new dialogue with BNP or any other political party regarding next parliamentary elections expected to be held in January, 2024. He was speaking to the reporters after exchanging views with the government officials at the Deputy Commissioner's office in Patuakhali. He said, “BNP has been repeatedly requested to participate in the upcoming elections. But they always rejected our request.” BNP is adamant in demanding a non-partisan caretaker government and restructuring of the Election Commission, he added. “In this case, there is no chance of a new dialogue with BNP or any other political party regarding the upcoming national parliamentary elections,” he said. Besides, by-elections to the five vacant parliamentary seats of the BNP MPs will be held with EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines), he said. Read more: No outside pressure on Election Commission: CEC However, the EC currently does not have necessary fund for installing CCTV cameras in polling centres in these by-elections, the CEC added. At present, the Election Commission has the capacity of holding elections with EVMs in 50 to 60 seats. Financial allocation has been sought from the government to purchase more EVMs, he said. Following the allocation, the commission is planning to buy new machines and hold elections with EVMs in 150 seats in the next parliamentary elections, he added. The CEC said some EVMs have been out of service due to lack of proper maintenance. A project has been submitted to the government for their proper conservation of EVMs, and the project proposal is now with the Planning Commission. Read more: Govt’s cooperation needed for holding fair election: CEC “If the project is approved, it will be possible to properly maintain the EVMs. This will save the country's money,” said the CEC.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Sunday said there is no scope for any candidate to win in the Cumilla City Corporation (CCC) elections by flexing muscle power. He said the Election Commission wants competition but not any war; and it will be a big mistake if any candidate tries to win by flexing muscle power. Also read: CEC: Not fully confident over EVM yet “Adequate members of law enforcement agencies will be deployed. We’re ready to hold the elections in a festive mood,” said the CEC at a meeting with mayor and councillor candidates of the CCC elections at Cumilla District Shilpakala auditorium. CEC Awal said if any candidate wins the election by any unfair means and if it is found out after the election through investigation, then the Election Commission (EC) will take necessary legal steps including filing of cases as per the law. Besides, if the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) get out of service or damaged in any of the centres, the voting time will be extended for the voters who will arrive at the centres before 4 pm. Also read: Poll panel still lacks capacity to use EVMs in all 300 seats, says CEC The EVMs will be used in the Cumilla City Corporation elections set for June 15. “We have all the preparations to conduct the poll in a fair way. Action will be taken if anyone tries to ruin the environment,” he said. The CEC also urged the candidates to help conduct the election in a disciplined way.