EC workshop on polls today

The Election Commission is set to hold a workshop today with a section of civil society members to know their expectations regarding the upcoming 12th parliamentary polls.

The commission has invited former election commissioners, bureaucrats, election observers, journalists, and others to attend the event titled, "12th National Polls: Expectations and Reality" at its office in Agargaon.

"Discussion will be held followed by a review, where we'll get to know the expectations of all stakeholders regarding the next general polls. It will be helpful for us to hold a free, fair, and acceptable election," said Election Commissioner Ahsan Habib.

According to EC officials, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal and all four election commissioners will attend the event. The commission has also invited former cabinet secretary Ali Imam Majumdar, former Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain, former secretary Abu Alam Md Shahid Khan, and Jatiya Nirbachon Parjabekkhon Parishad's Chairperson Prof Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah as discussants.

Former ambassador Humayun Kabir, local governance expert Tofail Ahmed, Bhorer Kagoj's Editor Shyamal Dutta, and Daily Prothom Alo's Joint Editor Sohrab Hassan has been invited as reviewers.

Besides, 20 others, including journalists and academics, were invited as guests.

Commissioner Md Alamgir, told reporters on Monday that the EC will take feedback from those who have conducted elections in the past.

He said the commission has no plan to hold dialogue right now with political parties regarding the next general election, which is set for late December this year or early January next year.

Earlier, the commission held dialogues with registered political parties, former election commissioners, journalists and others during March-July 2022.

Nine oppositions including BNP, had skipped the talks with the EC, saying that they have no confidence that the commission would be able to hold a free, fair and participatory national polls.