The Election Commission (EC) has directed to suspend all central and field-level programmes scheduled to mark the 8th National Voters’ Day on March 2 until further notice.
The decision was confirmed in a letter signed by EC Deputy Secretary Md. Rafiqul Islam on Thursday.
The directive has been sent to the conveners of all committees formed to observe Voters’ Day, as well as to EC officials at the field level.
According to the letter, all events planned at both the central and field levels in observance of the 8th National Voters’ Day have been suspended until further instructions are issued.
Contacted for comment, Director of the EC’s Public Relations Wing Md. Ruhul Amin Mallik told Dhaka Tribune that the decision was taken in consideration of the holy month of Ramadan.
“We were occupied with election-related activities and could not complete adequate preparations for Voters’ Day. It would not be appropriate to celebrate the day in a grand manner during Ramadan,” he said.
He added that the day will be observed more elaborately at a later date, likely after Eid. However, the new date has yet to be finalised and will be announced in due course.
Earlier, the EC had formed 570 committees nationwide to celebrate the 8th National Voters’ Day on March 2. In a separate letter issued on Wednesday, officials and employees at all levels were instructed to attend the programme.
Despite the earlier preparations, the constitutional body has now suspended all central and field-level activities related to the observance of Voters’ Day until further notice.