The Election Commission (EC) is set to hold a meeting today (November 15) to discuss the schedule for the next general election, although most opposition parties, including the BNP, are observing a countrywide blockade programme demanding the resignation of the Awami League government.

Many opposition parties and alliances, including Gantantra Mancha and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islmai, urged the EC not to announce poll schedules before resolving the ongoing political crisis.

Election Commission secretary M Jahangir Alam said on Tuesday that the commission would hold a meeting chaired by chief election commissioner, Kazi Habibul Awal, at 5:00pm at Nirbachan Bhaban.

He also said that the EC would hold a press briefing at 10:00 am today to inform the public when and how the schedule would be announced.

He said it was a tradition that the chief election commissioner announces the election schedule in his address to the nation.

"The tradition will continue this time too," he added.

The tenure of the current parliament expires on January 29. According to the constitution, the national election must be held anytime within the last 90 days of a parliament's tenure. The countdown of the last 90 days began on November 1.

BDST: 0803 HRS, NOV 15, 2023
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