EC to decide UP election plan on Thursday

The Election Commission will make a final decision on the Union Parishad (UP) elections following an inter-ministerial meeting on Thursday (September 17), said EC Secretary Akhter Ahmed on Tuesday. 

Speaking to reporters at the Election Commission headquarters, Akhter said it was certain that the local government elections would be held, but the date, method and number of phases had yet to be finalised.

The commission has held preliminary discussions over the past two days and prepared a tentative election plan on Monday. The draft proposes holding the UP elections in five phases, with two additional phases kept in reserve. 

The secretary, however, described the plan as purely preliminary.

A meeting with representatives of relevant ministries and stakeholders directly involved in the election process will be held on September 17, he said. 

The commission will seek inputs from the Education Ministry, Local Government Ministry and Home Ministry, among other stakeholders, before finalising the election schedule.

Akhter said the tentative five-phase plan and two reserve phases were prepared as a working framework for Thursday’s meeting, allowing relevant agencies to assess their preparations and inform the commission of their requirements.

Earlier, Local Government State Minister Mir Shahe Alam told reporters at the Secretariat that the government had no information about the proposed UP elections.

Asked about the minister’s remarks, Akhter said, “What he has said is respected. I would not dare to make any counter-comment. No comments from my side.”

On whether the commission had already held discussions with the government, the EC secretary said consultations were an ongoing process.

''I am not willing to make any further comment at this moment about with whom, when or how discussions were held.''