EC proceeding as per tentative polls schedule announced by CA: Secretary

Highlights:

• EC secretary said EC works within Chief Adviser's outlined timeframe for polls
• EC seeks technical aid from UNDP for hardware, software, and training
• EC to standardise voter list after updates with UNDP's help
• UN delegation assesses EC's technical needs for electoral process

The Election Commission is proceeding as per the tentative schedule for the next national election announced by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, said EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said today (14 January).

He made the remark while briefing reporters after a meeting with a UNDP delegation at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital's Agargaon.

The UNDP delegation, accompanied by an assessment mission from New York, first met Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin and then four election commissioners and other EC officials.

When asked about BNP demanding the national polls be held by mid-2025, the secretary said, "I am unaware of this matter. It does not fall under my jurisdiction."

He said, "The election commissioners have consistently said that the chief adviser has given us a window, and we are working within it."

Election assistance from UNDP

The EC has requested assistance from UNDP for the electoral process concerning hardware, software, etc, said Secretary Akhtar. 

"They came to review this matter [today]. They spoke with us and will return with a proposal within 10 days after discussing this with stakeholders. We will meet again in 10 days," he said. 

"They [UNDP] have set up an office here. This is because they cannot do the housework if we don't let them enter the house. We have to provide them with a place to sit," Akhtar further said.

He said the process of standardising the voter list will begin after updating the voter list. 

BNP calls for national polls by July-August

"Additionally, we have a shortage of some materials for the updating activities, and we have asked for those to be provided. They won't go door-to-door to collect information. After we collect the data, they will help in customisation," he added.

The EC secretary said the assistance from UNDP involves technical support, including hardware, software, training, skill development, and communication, and support in achieving certain SDGs. 

"The technical aspect involves any possible development in software," he said, adding that there has been no discussion about assistance with electronic voting machines (EVMs). 

Akhtar said they have only requested technical support, training, and awareness enhancement. "No financial assistance has been requested."

What UN says

Talking to reporters after the meeting, United Nations Resident Coordinator Gwyn Lewis said the EC sent the UN a letter requesting assistance before the UN could provide technical assistance to the EC.

"We need to do assessment," she said, adding that some recommendations will be made to the EC regarding the technical support the UN can provide.

She said, "We, accompanied by a need assessment mission from New York, came today to meet the EC colleagues. Following the feedback from our colleagues, we'll talk to more stakeholders - civil society, academicians, and political parties over the weeks."

Lewis said some technologies might be needed there. The EC will decide what types of support they would require.

"The EC has requested technical support for different aspects of the work, ranging from IT capacity development to help with misinformation and disinformation and a wide range of issues," said the UN official.

Replying to a query, she said, the mission will finish its assessment within 10 days and will come back and present it before the EC.