The proposed schedule for holding Union Parishad (UP) elections in seven phases is only tentative, Election Commission Secretariat Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said on Tuesday.
He said the schedule would be finalised after discussions with stakeholders on September 17.
Akhtar Ahmed made the remarks while speaking to reporters at the Election Bhaban in Dhaka. The Election Commission announced a tentative schedule for the UP elections on Monday.
However, Local Government State Minister Mir Shahe Alam said Tuesday morning that the government had learned about the proposed election dates only through newspapers, social media and television.
“The government knows nothing about this, and there has been no correspondence or discussion between the government and the EC over the matter,” he said.
Akhtar later clarified the EC’s position, saying the local government elections would definitely be held, but their timing, method and level had yet to be finalised.
He said the commission had held preliminary discussions over the past two days and prepared a tentative schedule, proposing elections in five phases while keeping two additional phases in reserve.
“This is entirely a preliminary schedule,” he said, adding that the final schedule would be decided after a meeting with the relevant ministry and stakeholders on September 17.
Asked about the state minister’s remarks, Akhtar declined to make any counter-comment.
“What he said is respected. I will not dare to make any counter-comment on the matter. No comments from my side,” he said.
Asked whether ministry approval would be required, the EC secretary said the commission would provide details after receiving the necessary input at the September 17 meeting.
On whether the EC had discussed the matter with the government, Akhtar said discussions were an ongoing process.
He declined to comment further on when, with whom or how such discussions had taken place.
