Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad on Thursday said parliament being in session would not affect the announcing of the election schedules.
“Do not think otherwise. We will announce the schedule in due time and hold the election,” he told reporters at the Election Commission (EC) Secretariat.
The business advisory committee on Wednesday decided to continue the 19th session of the current ninth parliament until November 7, extending the previous deadline, which ended on Thursday.
The CEC said: “The EC will give enough time for all so that none faces any difficulty.”
Regarding the polls preparation, he said: “We want the next general election to be held in a free, fair and acceptable manner with participation of all the political parties.”
He also said the commission was working to amend the electoral codes of conduct as per the constitution but that this yet to be finalised.
On the EC’s increasing strength ahead of polls, Rakibuddin said: “The constitution is our main strength. The EC can demand assistance from any institution as per the constitution.”
When asked by journalists whether the appointment of the deputy commissioner as a returning officer would harm the prospects of a level playing field for all parties, the CEC said the commission did not see the matter that way.
“The EC will appoint experienced and capable people to hold the election. It will not consider those who consider benefits of any special party or person,” he said.
Referring to the registration of the National Democratic Party (NDP), the CEC said the party applied for registration before the December 2008 polls, but because the supplied incorrect information, the commission had not registered them.
He said on October 1 the court sent a letter to the EC asking them to re-scrutinise the information of the party.
Rakibuddin, however, said they were not thinking about the matter at present as the commission has been busy with election preparations.
