Polls won't be delayed for redrawing constituencies

Chief Election Commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda said yesterday that the next general elections would not be delayed because of the ongoing changes to constituency boundaries.
"The constituency boundaries are being redrawn to end the present lack of coordination and chaos," Huda told reporters after inaugurating a voter registration centre in Narayanganj.
Huda also emphasised on the need for dedicated people to come into politics. He said, "We saw plenty of good Bengali politicians during days of East Pakistan who were in politics to serve people. We need to bring back those sorts of politicians."
The CEC said that political parties would be consulted regarding changes to constituency boundaries once the draft to changes is completed.
He also added that these changes are completely constitutional.
Huda said there are constituencies with five to six lakh voters compared to other constituencies with only one-lakh voters. This creates an obvious discrepancy between election costs for both electorates, he said.
"We started the initiative to redraw the constituency boundaries to end these discrepancies," he said adding that there is no reason why the roadmap to polls would be delayed as a result of these changes.
"No one would have any reason to oppose it either," Huda said, adding that whatever the size of the constituency, those elected enjoy the same parliamentary facilities.
The CEC also reiterated that voter lists would be updated every year instead of once every five years.