The Election Commission (EC) will take necessary steps to hold local government elections between January and June, considering the prevailing situation, EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said on Thursday.
“Considering the reality, the Election Commission will take the necessary steps to hold local government elections between January and June. The measures, which are required, will be taken in this regard,” he said.
The EC secretary was responding to questions from reporters after a meeting with a UNESCO delegation at the Nirbachan Bhaban in Agargaon.
Asked about the EC’s plan following State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Mir Shahe Alam’s remarks about holding local government elections from January to June, he said the commission has not yet taken any final decision in this regard.
Akhtar said the EC will take whatever measures are necessary based on the situation and requirements for holding the elections.
Asked whether the armed forces will be deployed to ensure free and fair local government elections, he said time has not yet come to take any decision in this regard.
The EC secretary said the commission held a good parliamentary election on February 12 last. “That has created our benchmark of expectations. So, will we raise that benchmark further or lower it? We will certainly raise it,” he said.