Reacting to a government call to hold elections to both parts of the newly split Dhaka City Corporation (DCC), the Election Commission on Sunday expressed inability to do so, saying its tenure will expire before it can hold the polls.
The government, the same day, appointed two administrators for the DCC.
Khalilur Rahman, additional secretary of ministry of primary and mass education, has been made administrator for DCC (South) and Khorshed Alam Chowdhury, director general of the Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training (BMET) administrator for DCC (North).
When journalists drew the attention of EC to a letter from the LGRD ministry asking for necessary steps to hold the elections in 90 days, Election Commissioner M Sohul Hossain conveyed their inability to do so.
“Even if we start the election process now, we won’t be able to finish the polls during our tenure,” he said at the EC Secretariat.
Besides, the new Election Commission, which will be formed after expiry of tenure of the incumbent one, may not follow their decisions, he pointed out.
Chief Election Commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda, who is currently staying abroad, will formally convey the EC’s position on holding the polls to the government once he returns, he informed.
M Sakhawat Hossain, another election commissioner, earlier conveyed the same inability.
Talking to reporters at his secretariat office, state minister for LGRD minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak admitted that his ministry was sending letter to the EC asking it to hold polls to the newly split DCC.
Ignoring widespread criticism and protests, parliament hurriedly passed a bill to split the DCC into two on November 29. Now, the polls for the bifurcated DCC must be held within 90 days, by the end of February, 2012.
With the sign of President Zillur Rahman the DCC-split bill turned into law on Thursday.
With this move, the corporation constituted through the 2002 polls dissolved instantly.
According to the Election Commission, the tenure of Dr Huda and Sohul Hussain will expire on February 5 while of Sakhawat Hossain on February 14 next year.
Meanwhile, talking to journalists at his ministry office, Khalilur Rahman said he would apply his ability, experience and talent to best serve the city dwellers of his areas.
“The responsibility of an administrator would be huge. But I would try to discharge my duties properly,” he added.
Asked whether he had any involvement with political party or whether he fears there will be political pressure on him, Rahman said he will perform his job as a government official.
