EC urged to hold five local polls by June next year: State Min Shahe Alam

The government has urged the Election Commission (EC) to complete five local government elections by June next year, reiterating its commitment to holding the polls within the current fiscal year.

“Around 6,000 crore taka has been allocated for the local government elections. If the polls cannot be completed within the current fiscal year, the funds will remain unspent and be carried over to the next fiscal year,” State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam said on Tuesday.

He was speaking to journalists after a preparatory meeting on the Village Police Grand Rally, scheduled for November 7, at the ministry’s conference room at the Bangladesh Secretariat.

Replying to questions, Shahe Alam said the government had asked the EC to consider holding the elections in phases, if necessary, to complete all five by June.

However, the EC would make the final assessment of whether the polls could be held within the proposed timeframe, he added.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to free, fair and impartial local government elections, Shahe Alam said neither the government nor the administration would interfere in the electoral process.

He said the authorities had issued necessary instructions to ensure a level playing field for all candidates and credible elections.

“The government does not want to bear any stigma regarding local government elections,” he said, adding that the government would extend full cooperation to the EC to ensure the polls were held in a festive atmosphere and in a free, fair and impartial manner.

Meanwhile, Shahe Alam said dengue prevention activities would continue every Saturday until December 12.

The activities would include cleanliness drives, distribution of awareness leaflets and public announcements, with Scouts, Rover Scouts, Girl Guides and volunteers taking part.

On the Village Police Force, also known as Gram Police Bahini, the state minister said proposals had been sought to strengthen its legal authority and improve members’ salaries and other benefits.

The government would consider the force members’ demands and expectations before taking steps to implement the proposals, he added.

Shahe Alam said the Village Police Grand Rally would begin at 11:30am on November 7 at the former trade fair grounds beside the China Friendship Conference Centre. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to attend as the chief guest.

Around 50,000 Village Police Force members from across the country are expected to attend the rally.