The Election Commission has confirmed that advisors to the interim government or those holding any government positions have been banned from running in the upcoming 13th National Parliament elections.
Commissioner Md. Anwarul Islam Sarkar told reporters on Tuesday that no one holding a government position will be able to participate in the election and will not be able to campaign for any candidate.
Regarding the election preparations, he said, “All the necessary preparations for the announcement of the schedule have already been completed. Seat allocation, appointment of returning officers, more than 20 circulars, appointment of judicial and executive magistrates during the election period—everything is ready. These will be published sequentially after the announcement of the schedule.”
Meanwhile, Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Machud said, “It is not the commission’s responsibility to control the law and order situation before the schedule is announced. The responsibility to ensure equal opportunities will start after the schedule is announced.” He also said that the final postal ballot will not have the symbols of any party whose activities have been suspended or banned.
The commission said the schedule will be announced on Wednesday evening or Thursday after meeting with the President.