EC awaits Parliament decision on party symbols for mayoral polls

The Election Commission is awaiting a decision by the 13th National Parliament on whether to amend or approve the ordinance abolishing party nomination for mayoral posts in the upcoming local government elections, Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud said today (22 February).

He said the provision for using party symbols in mayoral elections has been withdrawn through an ordinance.

The EC will take further steps depending on whether Parliament ratifies the ordinance or amends it.

“As far as I know, the matter of party nomination for the post of mayoral candidate has been excluded through an ordinance. Now Parliament will sit. If this bill or ordinance is ratified, then the election will be held accordingly.

“And if it changes and returns to the previous state, it will be different. We are essentially looking towards the decision of the parliamentary session,” he told journalists.

He also said preparations are underway for elections to reserved women’s seats and for suspended by-elections.

The first session of the 13th National Parliament may sit in the second week of March.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, a member of BNP Standing Committee, said yesterday evening (21 February) that the first session may begin on 12 March or two to three days earlier.

The speaker and deputy speaker will be elected during the session.

Regarding reserved women’s seats, Commissioner Masud said the process has effectively begun.

Candidates nominated by parties represented in Parliament will be elected.

“According to the rules, this election must be completed within 90 days of taking the oath, and the EC will complete it within the specified timeframe. The schedule will be announced soon,” he said.

Voting in the 13th National Parliamentary Election and the referendum concluded on 12 February. Members of Parliament and ministers took oaths on 17 February.

Officials of the EC’s Election Management Wing said letters have been received from the Local Government Division to prepare for elections to Dhaka North City Corporation, Dhaka South City Corporation and Chattogram City Corporation.

According to separate letters from the division, the first meeting of Dhaka South was held on 2 June 2020 and its five-year term ended on 1 June last year.

The first meeting of Dhaka North was held on 3 June 2020 and its term ended on 2 June 2025.

The first meeting of Chattogram City Corporation was held on 23 February 2021 and its term ends today.

Under the Local Government (City Corporation) Act, the term of a city corporation is five years from its first meeting, and elections must be held within 180 days before the end of that term.

The commissioner also said by-elections to Bogura-6 and Sherpur-3 will be held on 14 April.

A by-election in Bogura-6 is required after the BNP chairman vacated the seat. The Sherpur-3 election was postponed after a candidate died before the polls. The Commission will hold voting in that constituency as well.