No scope to reschedule Dhaka city polls: EC secy

Terming the demand for deferment of Dhaka north and south city corporation polls as “illogical”, Election Commission (EC) Secretary Md Alamgir said there is no scope to reschedule the elections.

“January 30 is an appropriate date for Dhaka city polls. There is no scope for rescheduling the elections,” he said while talking to journalists at Agargaon EC office.

Talking about the ongoing protest demanding the deferment of the election date, the EC secretary said the protesters do not understand the fact.

A group of Dhaka University students today blocked Shahbagh intersection and waged demonstration on the campus demanding for deferment of the elections to a different date instead of January 30 as it coincides with Saraswati Puja.

“According to government calendar, Saraswati Puja will be held on January 29. Secondary School Certificate (SSC) will kick off on February 1. So, we have only January 30 in our hand which is the right time for the polls,” EC secretary explained about the polls schedule.

The EC secretary said the appeal for the deferment of polls was rejected by the High Court.

As they yet to appeal with the Supreme Court, we did not get any direction from the court and that is why January 30 is the right time to conduct the two city polls, added the EC secretary.

He also said the polls will not put any impact on the Saraswati Puja.