Election schedule can be changed if BNP joins: CEC

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Sunday said the national election schedule can be changed if BNP decides to join it, but it doesn't mean deferring the polling date.

"Our commissioners opined that if BNP joins the election, poll can be rescheduled to accommodate the party," he told a press briefing at Nirbachan Bhaban media centre in capital Dhaka's Agargaon area.

Replying to a query, the CEC said the EC would apply its all-out efforts to hold a peaceful, participatory, free, fair and neutral election and it won't go beyond its jurisdiction.

Regarding the deployment of the army in polls, Awal said the commission will take decision at the final stage after discussion. If it is required to deploy army, the EC will go for it, he said.

As per the schedule for the 12th Jatiya Sangsad election, the deadline for nomination form submission is November 30 and nomination forms will be scrutinized on December 1-4.

The time frame for appealing to the EC against returning officers and settlement of appeals is December 5-15 and the last date for withdrawal of candidacy is December 17.

Returning officers will allocate election symbols on December 18 while the election campaign can be carried out till 8 am on January 5.

Voting will be held from January 7.

Source: BSS