President directs EC to maintain dignity

President Abdul Hamid yesterday urged the Election Commission (EC) to maintain its dignity as a constitutional body and uphold public faith and to give top priority to hold the upcoming union parishad (UP) polls in a free and fair manner.

Hamid made the call when a five-member EC delegation led by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad met him at Bangabhaban marking the fourth anniversary of the incumbent EC assumed office, said the president's press secretary Joynal Abedin.

The commission took oath on February 9, 2012 and assumed office on February 12, 2012. They faced criticism for their role in January 5 national election, upazila elections, Dhaka and Chittagong city polls, and municipality polls, which were marked by irregularities.

Talking to The Daily Star, Abedin said the EC had appraised the president about the overall activities of their last four-year tenure and preparation to hold the upcoming UP polls. The EC had informed that elections to around 4,200 UPs will be held in six phases from March to June this year, he added.

ELECTIONS IN 10 MUNICIPALITIES

Election to ten municipalities of nine districts will be held on March 20, announced the Election Commission yesterday.

The last date for filing nomination is February 22, nominations will be scrutinised on February 24 and 25, and the deadline for withdrawal of nominations is March 4, according to the polls schedule.

The municipalities are Haragach of Rangpur, Kaliganj of Jhenaidah, Jhalakathi sadar, Bhanga of Faridpur, Nangolkot of Comilla, Brahmanbaria sadar, Kabirhat of Noakhali, Sonagazi of Feni, Chakaria, and Moheskhali of Cox's Bazar.