Municipality polls in time, campaigns sans MPs

The Election Commission has decided not to defer the municipality polls slated for December 30 despite requests from several participating parties.

In a meeting held at the commission today, the authorities have also decided to keep lawmakers out of electioneering campaigns of the aspirants.

A highly placed official at the Election Commission, on condition of anonymity, confirmed The Daily Star on the decisions taken at the meeting.

It was ruling Awami League and the parliamentary opposition Jatiya Party who met chief election commissioner yesterday and advocated for allowing the MPs to take part in campaigns.

Only BNP, who came to the decision of participating after considering the sentiment of root-level activists, backed the restriction placed by electoral code of conduct.

The restriction will not affect BNP as it boycotted the parliamentary elections of January 5, 2014 and does not have any representation at the parliament.

However, both BNP and Jatiya Party had batted for a deferral in the polls schedule.