No clear directives yet on local government polls: EC secretary

Election Commission (EC) Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on Monday said the Commission has yet to receive any clear direction from the government regarding local government elections and is still awaiting the voter list from the Parliament Secretariat before announcing the schedule for the presidential election.

"The date or schedule for the presidential election has not been fixed yet. We have requested the Parliament Secretariat to send the voter list. After receiving it, we will discuss the election date and schedule," he told reporters at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin resigned on July 24, after which Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad assumed the role of acting President.

In line with the Presidential Election Act, 1991, the Election Commission, led by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, met Acting Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal on July 28 before announcing the election schedule.

Under Article 123(2) of the Constitution, an election to fill a presidential vacancy caused by resignation must be held within 90 days.

On local government elections, Akhtar said the EC has not received any formal communication or clear instructions from the government.

The Commission had earlier set July 31 as the deadline for new voter registration in preparation for local government polls.

"As we have yet to receive any clear instruction regarding the local government elections, the July 31 deadline for voter registration may be changed, or it may remain unchanged," he said.

Akhtar also said the EC has prepared proposals to amend local government election laws and will send them to the Local Government Division for consideration.

Asked whether local government elections could begin in October, he said the Commission normally requires about 45 days between announcing the election schedule and polling, while preparing and printing the voter list takes another one and a half months.

"Different timelines have been discussed, including September, October and even December. As there is no clear information yet, it will not be appropriate for me to comment," he said.

Responding to another question, Akhtar said the EC's election preparations are continuing despite the uncertainty.

"To my knowledge, there has been no formal communication with the government regarding the local government elections so far. However, our preparations are continuing without any slowdown," he added.

38 parties submit audit reports

Akhtar said 38 registered political parties, including the BNP and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, have submitted their audited financial statements for the 2025 calendar year to the EC.

Another 13 parties have sought more time to file their reports, while eight parties have yet to respond.

Under the Representation of the People Order, registered political parties are required to submit audited financial statements for the previous calendar year by July 31. As this year's deadline fell on a Friday, the EC extended it to August 2.

There are currently 59 registered political parties, while the registration of the Awami League remains suspended.