Meeting on Nov 4 to fix polls schedule

The Election Commission would hold a meeting on November 4 to fix the schedule for the upcoming national election, said Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda yesterday after meeting the president.

Led by the CEC, the four election commissioners had the meeting with President Abdul Hamid at the Bangabhaban to inform him about the preparations for the 11th parliamentary polls and the election schedule.

Asked about the outcome of the meeting, the CEC, while briefing reporters in front of the Bangabhaban, said, “It was not an emergency meeting. It's a formal one. An election will be held at the national level. The honourable president has been informed about its preparations … what we are doing, voter list, polling centres, and other related matters.”

He said there was no discussion in the meeting on fixing a date for the polls.

Asked about the possible date for announcing the polls schedule, the CEC said, “The Election Commission has not made any decision in this regard. The commission will sit for a meeting on November 4 to decide on the election schedule."

He also said the president expressed satisfaction over the preparations of the EC.

Responding to a question whether the EC had gained the confidence of all political parties, the CEC said they have largely been able to but they were not sure about all parties.

In response to another question about a High Court order on the EC to not accept the amended charter of the BNP, he said they received the order and that they would decide after discussing with the election commissioners.

Asked if all political parties would take part in the polls, he said, "I hope so."