Coronavirus: Decision on CCC polls soon, says CEC

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda today said decision on whether to postpone five by-elections and Chattogram City Corporation polls will be taken after assessing the effects of coronavirus across the country.

The decision will be taken within a day or two, the CEC told reporters while emerging from Election Commission office after cutting a cake, celebrating the 100th birth anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The by-polls in Dhaka-10, Gaibandha-3, Bagerhat-4 are scheduled to be held on March 21 while Chattogram City Corporation election and Bogura-1 and Jashore-6 by-polls are set to be held on March 29.

"We will consider postponement of election if the (coronavirus) situation goes out of control. But for now, we want the elections to take place on time," the CEC said.

"We didn't take any decision yet… as preparation is at the final stage," he said.

The CEC further said the candidates told the commission that they would campaign for the elections carefully and will avoid public gatherings.

"If they avoid public gatherings, we see no problem in holding the elections," he added.