The Election Commission (EC) has sought detailed information on utility bill defaulters ahead of the election to the reserved seats for women, scheduled to be held on 12 May.
Election Commission officials confirmed the matter on Thursday, saying that EC Joint Secretary Md Moin Uddin Khan has already sent letters to several utility service providers requesting lists of individuals with outstanding bills.
The organizations contacted include the Bangladesh Power Development Board, Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board, Dhaka Power Distribution Company Limited, Dhaka Electric Supply Company Limited, Dhaka WASA, Chittagong WASA, Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited, Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited, Bakhrabad Gas Systems Limited, and Jalalabad Gas Transmission and Distribution System Limited.
According to the EC letter, the deadline for submitting nomination papers for the reserved women’s seats is 21 April. Scrutiny of nomination papers will be conducted by the Election Commission Secretariat on April 22–23.
The Commission stated that candidates who fail to clear outstanding dues for government utility services, including electricity, gas, water, and telephone bills by the day before scrutiny will be deemed ineligible to be elected or to retain membership of Parliament under Section 12 (Dh) of the Representation of the People Order, 1972.
To enforce compliance, the EC will collect updated lists of defaulters from the relevant authorities after 4:00 PM on April 21, following the nomination deadline.
The concerned agencies have been requested to verify the information and send authorized representatives to assist during the scrutiny process.
As per the election schedule, the last date for filing appeals against Returning Officer decisions is April 26, with appeals to be disposed of on April 27–28. The deadline for withdrawal of candidature is April 29, while election symbols will be allocated on April 30. Voting will be held on May 12.