UP Elections May Be Held in January: EC’s Masud

Union Parishad (UP) elections may be held in January next year, Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud has said.

He made the remarks at his office at the Election Commission on Sunday.

Masud said the Election Commission had earlier considered November 12 as the starting point for the local government elections but had decided to reconsider that timeline.

He said schools and colleges have annual and other examinations scheduled in November and December. As educational institutions are used as polling centres and teachers are often assigned election duties, holding the elections during that period would create logistical difficulties.

“The Election Commission has decided to move away from the November 12 plan,” Masud said, adding that January is now among the possible periods for holding the UP elections.

The commission has not yet made a final decision on the election schedule, he said.

The Election Commission had earlier been preparing to begin local government elections with Union Parishad polls. Recent discussions with relevant government agencies highlighted logistical challenges, including examinations at educational institutions and other preparations.

Masud also said a planned dialogue with political parties and other stakeholders on September 23, 24 and 25 had been cancelled.

The Election Commission is expected to announce the schedule after further consideration of the logistical and administrative issues involved.