Bangladesh’s Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday (May 21) said the government will decide whether local elections or national elections will be held first as the commission's responsibility is only to organize the elections.

Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah made the remarks while taking to reporters following the EC’s fifth commission meeting.

His comments came as members of the National Citizen Party (NCP) staged a demonstration outside the Election Commission headquarters in Dhaka, demanding that local elections be held before national polls and calling for the resignation of the Commission.

“We do not want to make any comments on political activities,” Commissioner Sanaullah said in response to the NCP’s protest.

When asked whether local elections would precede parliamentary polls, he reiterated: “Given the current situation, it is beyond the Commission’s authority to determine the order of elections. That decision lies with the government.”

The NCP also questioned the neutrality of the Commission. In response, Sanaullah maintained, “I do not wish to respond to political statements. As a Commission, we are carrying out our duties impartially and will continue to do so.”

The commissioner also addressed the Commission’s decision not to appeal a court ruling that reinstated Ishraque Hossain as mayor, citing legal limitations.

“We have acted in accordance with the law,” he said. “Under Article 50 of the Representation of the People Order, Section 54 of the Local Government (City Corporation) Act, and relevant election rules for municipalities, upazilas, and union parishads, there is no provision for the Election Commission to be included in or initiate an election petition.”

He explained that while individuals often name the EC as a party in petitions, the law does not support such inclusion. 

“Since independence, we have searched our records and found no precedent where the Commission has taken the initiative to be included in such cases or filed an appeal,” he added.

SMS/