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DCC polls deferred from Jan 30 to Feb 1


Published : 18 Jan 2020 09:48 PM | Updated : 31 Aug 2020 06:25 AM

The date for elections in two city corporations--Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) and Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC)--has been deferred for two days.

The elections now will be held on February 1, instead of January 30, as the Saraswati Puja of the Sonatan Hindu community will also be held on the same day, January 30.

The Election Commission (EC) rescheduled the election date in face of countrywide movement demanding the deferment of the election date and widespread criticism from various sectors as well.

The decision was taken at an emergency meeting held at the EC Headquarters at the capital’s Agargaon. Chaired by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), the meeting was held in presence of different senior officials of the EC.

Confirming the decision, the CEC, KM Nurul Huda Saturday night said that the election date has been deferred considering the Sarswati Puja of the Hindu community and also the movement by the students.

“The election date has been deferred from January 30 to February 1 so that nobody’s religious emotions are hurt”, said the CEC.
He also clarified to the earlier decision of the EC as saying that as per the calendar, the date of Saraswati Puja was mentioned on January 29, which was actually partially wrong.

He also said, the decision has been made through talking to the Education Ministry as the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) exams were also scheduled to be held from January. But, the Education Ministry has also deferred the beginning date of the SSC exams by two days from February 1 to February 3.

It should be mentioned that with the demand for the deferment of the election date, students at Dhaka University, Jagannath University and many other educational institutions were continuing movement.

Besides, a Supreme Court lawyer has filed writ petition seeking the deferment of the polls date.
The election will be held at two mayoral posts of the DNCC and DSCC and 172 of their Ward Councillor posts.