The 11th parliamentary elections will be held on December 23 (Sunday) next, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda announced in a televised address to the nation on Thursday evening.
He announced that the last date for submitting nomination papers is November 19 while the date for scrutinising nomination papers is November 22 and the last date for the withdrawal of nomination papers is November 29.
While addressing the nation at 7pm, the CEC urged all the political parties to participate in the general election to keep the trend of democracy and pace of development uninterrupted.
"If there remains any disagreement and dispute among them, then I urge them to resolve those politically. I request everybody to demonstrate patience and respectful political behaviour to each other," Nurul Huda said.
He also expected a competitive election with the participation of all political parties. "In a competitive election, I believe, irregularities can be checked with the active participation of the supporters of candidates," he added.
Nurul Huda urged the political parties to remain alert so that competition never turns into revenge or violence.
Law enforcement agencies will strictly be instructed to make sure that no voters, political leaders, activists, supporters or agents face harassment or false cases, said Huda.
He also assured the people of the country of creating a level- playing field by providing equal facilities for all during the election. "All candidates and political parties will get the equal facilities. Necessary circulars will be issued soon in this regard."
Listing a number measures taken by the EC for holding the national election, the CEC said they have prepared the voter list and amended the relevant laws ahead of the election while a list has been published re-demarcating parliamentary constituencies.
Besides, the voter list has been finalised, selection of 40,000 voting centers completed and the registration applications of 75 political parties have been disposed of, he said.
Training programmes have been arranged for the first time for polling agents, the CEC said adding that the procurement of election materials and printing works have been completed.
Besides, the preliminary process of appointing 7 lakh officials for conducting the elections has been concluded, while 6 lakh members of law enforcement agencies including police, BGB, Rab, Coast Guard, VDF and Ansar will be deployed, Huda said adding that executive and judicial magistrates will be appointed in each constituency.
Actions will be taken if they fail to perform their duty properly, he said.
Armed forces will be deployed for assisting the civil administration to maintain the law and order.
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