Next general poll will certainly be held in 2014: CEC

DHAKA, Aug 11 (BSS) - Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr ATM Shamsul Huda today said the next parliamentary election will certainly be held in 2014 and the political parties through discussion will decide how the election will be held.

Addressing a roundtable discussion at Jatiya Press Club, the CEC said the Election Commission (EC) is in dire crisis of manpower. "Even after 40 years of independence, the EC does not have its own office building," he lamented.

Leaders of different political parties, journalists and writers took part in the discussion organized by Sushaner Jonyo Nagorik (Sujan) on 'Reform proposals for EC and some related views'.

The CEC said the EC is not under any government office, department or wing, but both the ruling and opposition parties stand as barriers for commission to perform its duties independently.

About the Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) election, Dr Huda said the commission several times has requested the government in this regard. But, the government is showing different pleas in different times, he said.

"On the other hand, BNP observed that the government in fear of defeat is not holding the election," he said.

The CEC, however, said in any circumstances the general election will be held in 2014 and political parties would certainly take decision how the poll would be held.

Advisor to the former caretaker government M Hafizuddin Ahmed, president of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal ASM Abdur Rab, former organizing secretary of Awami League Mahmudur Rahman Manna, writer Syed Abul Moqsud, president of Sujan Bodiul Alam Majumder and CPB leader Ruhin Hossain Prince, among others, took part in the discussion.

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