Bangla Press Desk: The government is preparing to launch local government elections at the earliest possible time after completing necessary preparations, Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told parliament on Monday.
Speaking during a question-and-answer session in the Jatiya Sangsad, the minister said the matter is currently under active consideration by the government. He was responding to a query from Jamaat-e-Islami MP Zahirul Islam. The session was presided over by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.
In response to a separate question from independent MP Rumin Farhana, the minister explained that local government elections are typically conducted in phases and may take between 10 months and a year to complete.
He noted that several factors must be considered before announcing the election schedule, including preparation of the voter list, procurement of election materials, religious festivals, public examinations, weather conditions, finalisation and renovation of polling centres, and training of election officials.
“At least 45 days are required for preliminary preparations before the announcement of the election schedule,” the minister added.
Replying to a question from BNP MP Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, the minister said the Election Commission of Bangladesh has decided not to use Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in any national or local elections going forward.
He added that a project to procure around 150,000 EVMs was implemented between 2018 and 2024 at a cost of Tk 38.25 billion. The machines were purchased through the Bangladesh Army. The project is currently under audit scrutiny, and an investigation is ongoing by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Unused EVMs are now being stored in warehouses and at BMTF facilities.
