EC’s Warning Regarding SSC Exam Schedule

The Chief Adviser has announced that the 13th National Parliamentary Election will be held in the first half of February. The Election Commission (EC) has advised the Ministry of Education to be cautious when setting the schedule for SSC or HSC examinations during that period (in February) so that the exam dates do not coincide with the election dates.

This information was disclosed by EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on Thursday (October 30). He also said that the Commission is making overall preparations to hold the national election in February.

As part of its election preparations, the Election Commission held a coordination meeting with various ministries, departments, and agencies. After the meeting, the EC Secretary made these remarks.

The meeting discussed in detail issues related to election infrastructure development, logistics at polling centers, law and order, electricity supply, healthcare support, and budget management. The meeting, held in the conference room of the Election Commission Building in Agargaon, was presided over by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A. M. M. Nasir Uddin. Four other election commissioners were present. Senior officials from the Ministries of Home Affairs, Public Administration, Education, Power, Health, and Local Government, among others, also attended.

After the meeting, the EC Secretary said that the Commission had brought to the attention of relevant agencies various practical issues related to the establishment and maintenance of polling centers. “We have requested the concerned departments to repair and renovate polling centers and the roads leading to them. Although the weather is expected to be favorable in February, accessibility to the centers must be ensured in advance,” he said.

He added that the Local Government Division, the Directorate of Primary Education, and the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education have been instructed to prepare educational institutions that will be used for election purposes ahead of time.

Regarding the appointment of polling officials, Akhtar Ahmed said that the EC is preparing a complete panel of presiding officers, assistant presiding officers, and polling officers. “Teachers from government schools and colleges, as well as officials from government banks, will be included. We aim to ensure that the election is conducted by neutral and competent officials,” he said.

He further mentioned that transport management was also discussed in the meeting. In particular, the local administration has been requested to ensure helicopter landing facilities in remote areas.

Representatives from the Ministry of Health and the Directorate General of Health Services also detailed their preparations. The Health Ministry informed that on election day, cluster-based medical teams will be formed in every upazila, and if necessary, at the union level. Each team will consist of a doctor, a nurse, and necessary medicines.

The meeting also discussed election publicity and voter awareness campaigns, to be led by the Ministry of Information and Bangladesh Television (BTV). The EC plans to use airtime on Parliament Television and flash messages on BTV News to enhance voter awareness. The EC has requested the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to expedite visa processing for foreign election observers.

A representative from Bangladesh Bank informed the meeting that they would need 4–5 days to update and provide information regarding loan defaulters. The EC agreed to grant them the required time.

When asked about the demand made by eight political parties to hold a referendum in November regarding the July National Charter, the Secretary said that the EC had listened to their opinions, but the decision to hold a referendum rests with the government.

Khaborwala/MU