EC postpones first phase UP election due to rise in coronavirus cases
The EC has made this decision after an emergency meeting on Monday afternoon
The Election Commission (EC) has decided in principal to postpone the first phase Union Parishad (UP) election following the rise in Covid-19 cases across the country.
The election was scheduled to be held on 11 April in 371 UPs and 11 municipalities.
The EC has made this decision after an emergency meeting on Monday afternoon.
EC Joint Director Asaduzzaman Arju said the commission came up with the decision after an emergency meeting following the government issuing 18 directives to control the spread of coronavirus in the country earlier on Monday morning.
Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda, Election Commissioners Md Rafiqul Islam, Begum Kabita Khanam, Brigadier General (retd) Shahadat Hossain Chowdhury, EC Secretary Md Humayun Kabir Khandaker, Additional Secretary Ashok Kumar Debnath, among other high officials, were present at the meeting.
New date for the postponed election will be announced later depending on the coronavirus cases across the country.
Decision on Lakshmipur municipality-2 constituency by-election – scheduled for 11 April, will be announced after a meeting on 1 April.