Election Commission (EC) Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on Monday said the schedule for the presidential election has not yet been finalized as the commission is still awaiting the voter list from the Parliament Secretariat.
"We have requested the Parliament Secretariat to provide the voter list, but we have not received it yet. The date or schedule for the presidential election will be announced after the voter list is received," he told journalists at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital's Agargaon.
Explaining the election timeline, Akhtar Ahmed said there is normally a 45-day interval between the announcement of an election schedule and polling day. The timeline is determined through a backward calculation, considering voter list updates and other necessary preparations.
"Our required equipment and polling centres are ready. The deadline for updating the voter list can be extended if necessary. We are maintaining all preparations so that work can begin immediately after the schedule is announced," he added.
The EC Secretary said draft proposals have already been prepared to amend the code of conduct and relevant laws governing local government elections. The proposed amendments include provisions relating to dual citizenship and loan defaulters.
"The draft proposals will be sent to the Ministry of Law and the Local Government Division," he said.
Regarding the submission of political parties' audit reports, Akhtar Ahmed said the original deadline was July 31, but since the day fell on a Friday, the commission accepted reports until August 2.
Of the EC's 59 registered political parties, 38 have submitted their audit reports, while 13 sought extensions of time. The remaining eight parties have not responded and will be served notices in accordance with the law, he added.
FP/R
