EC backtracks on roadmap

The Election Commission has backtracked on its plan to hold dialogue with political parties on election schedule, said EC sources.
The EC, as part of its action plan, had earlier declared that it would sit with political parties around 25 days ahead of announcing the schedule for the next general election.
Besides, the EC will not send the draft of the amended electoral code of conduct to political parties for their opinion. Rather, the draft will be uploaded on the EC's website seeking public opinion.
The commission is avoiding the dialogue sensing that it might get negative response from some political parties. Also, there is time constraint.
“We're not sure about participation of all the registered political parties in the dialogue. If most of them stay away, it might deepen the ongoing political crisis and would send a negative message to people. That's why we don't want to take any risk," said an election commissioner seeking anonymity.
“Aslo, as we have very limited time ahead of the election, it would be tough for us to hold such a dialogue,” he added.
As per the constitution, the EC will have to conduct the election before January 25 next year.
The commission is now mainly focusing on the electoral code of conduct. The draft of the amended code of conduct will be uploaded on the EC website on Sunday. People will have seven days to give their opinion on the draft before the law ministry gives its final approval to the draft.
Before holding the last national election in 2008, the then election commission had held a series of dialogue with political parties on the code of conduct and polls schedule, former election commissioner M Sakhawat Hussain told The Daily Star.
EC BRIEFING
The prime minister and the opposition leader will be able to run electoral campaigns with their existing security facilities, Election Commissioner Zabed Ali said yesterday.
“There will be no bar to running campaigns by the prime minister and the opposition leader with their existing security arrangements. Besides, if any candidate seeks security, it will be provided accordingly,” he told reporters about the electoral code of conduct at his EC secretariat office.
Candidates will have to follow the code of conduct during electioneering. Otherwise, legal action will be taken against them, he added.