EC yet to receive clear directive on local government polls

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The Election Commission (EC) has yet to receive any clear directive from the government regarding local government elections, Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said on Sunday.

Speaking to reporters at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital, he also said the schedule for the presidential election has not been finalised as the Commission is still awaiting the voter list from the Parliament Secretariat.

"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 said.

Following the resignation of President Mohammed Shahabuddin on 24 July, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad assumed the role of acting head of state. In line with the Presidential Election Act, 1991, the EC held a meeting with Acting Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal on 28 July before announcing the election schedule.

Under the Constitution, a presidential election must be held within 90 days of the office becoming vacant due to resignation.

Regarding local government polls, Akhtar Ahmed said the Commission had earlier set 31 July as the deadline for new voter registration but noted that the timeline could be revised as no clear government instructions have been received.

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

The EC secretary said the Commission generally requires around three months to prepare for an election, including finalising the voter list and completing other necessary arrangements. Although different timelines, including September, October and December, have been discussed, he said it would be inappropriate to comment without clear government guidance.

He added that, to his knowledge, there has been no formal communication from the government on local government elections so far, though the Commission's preparations are continuing.

Akhtar Ahmed also said 38 of the country's 59 registered political parties, including the BNP and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, have submitted their audited financial statements for the 2025 calendar year. Thirteen parties have requested additional time, while eight have yet to respond. The registration of the Awami League remains suspended.