"But it will have a negative impact on the political arena," he said.

The CEC made the comments while talking to reporters yesterday evening.

He also said the Election Commission (EC) should work at its own pace because it has no connection with politics.

Regarding the forthcoming views-exchange meetings with political parties on electoral reforms, the CEC said Hasina's arrest would not have any impact on it.

He said the EC would sit with the parties in September and hoped the current situation would take a favourable turn by then.

"We also have to keep in mind that we will exchange views with the party, not with any person. It is not the election commission's headache who remain in charge of the parties," said the CEC.

He said preparation of the voter list in Rajshahi might be started at the end of this month or at the beginning of next month.

Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed will inaugurate the event.

Two commissioners, Muhammad Sohul Hussain and M Sakhawat Hossain, would visit Rajshahi on Sunday prior to the chief adviser's visit to oversee the process.