In face of coronavirus-induced seismic shock and spiking deaths in the country due to the pandemic, the Election Commission (EC) on Thursday postponed the first phase election to 371 Union Parishad (UP) scheduled to be held on April 11.
The authorities concerned also postponed the by-polls to Laskmipur-2 constituency, elections to 11 municipalities and some Upazila Parishads.
The EC has taken the decision for the elections for respective areas followed by the 18-point health safety guidelines issued by the government to curb the coronavirus pandemic.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the commission chaired by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) held at Conference Room of the EC in the city’s Sher-E-Banglanagar on Thursday.
Ashok Kumar Debnath, Additional Secretary of the EC Secretariate, confirmed The Business Post in the afternoon yesterday.
“The EC has asked the authorities concerned to refrain from holding the polls until further order in this regard,” he said.
We will take next course of action regarding the issue after getting necessary instructions from the government, he added.
In reply to a query, he said that the EC decided not to declare schedules for any more elections in this volatile situation.
He also said the gazette for by-polls to Laskmipur-2 to be issued soon as per section 123(4) of the constitution.
Earlier on March 3, the Election Commission declared the election schedule for the polls.
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