Who will get 'plough' symbol is yet to be decided: EC secretary
The decision on who will receive the electoral symbol "plough" has not yet been made, Election Commission (EC) Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said today (11 November).
He made the remark while speaking to journalists at the Election Commission building in the capital's Agargaon.
Akhtar further said, "Dialogue with registered political parties will begin on 13 November, with the commission planning the order of participation and aiming to complete the exchange of views within the month."
"From 13 November, talks with political parties will begin. We are planning for this — deciding who will come and who will be called first," he added.
He also said the commission wants to complete the exchange of views with the parties within this month so that it can reach the specific target.
The EC secretary confirmed that the parliamentary election will be held in the first half of February, with the schedule to be announced in the first half of December.
He said the commission has already completed preparations, holding dialogues with election experts, academics, women leaders, the media, and professionals from various sectors. "At the final stage, the election‑organising body is now engaged in dialogue with political parties."
Akhtar informed that the discussions will focus on the Representation of the People Order (RPO), the code of conduct, and issues related to holding a fair election.
According to EC sources, currently, there are 53 registered parties. The registration of the Awami League has been suspended, while the registrations of three other parties have been cancelled. The registration of three new parties will be finalised on 12 November.
Although more than 50 registered parties are expected to be invited to the dialogue, Akhtar said the order and timing of invitations will be announced step by step.
Several parties have demanded the cancellation of the registration of the Jatiya Party and its allies within the 14‑party alliance, while factions of the Jatiya Party have filed petitions regarding its symbol and party division.
Asked whether the Jatiya Party will be invited to the dialogue, the EC secretary said, "We have not yet decided who will be invited. We will discuss and make a decision. You will know step by step who is invited."
On the dispute over the Jatiya Party's "plough" symbol, Akhtar reiterated, "No decision has been made yet. If a decision had been made, you would certainly have known. Once it is made, it will be announced."
Election code of conduct
Asked about changes to the election code of conduct, Akhtar said posters have been banned. "A candidate will not be allowed to use more than three microphones at a single rally in one constituency. However, if a candidate holds multiple rallies in succession, three microphones may be used at each rally. There is no restriction there."
He added that leaflets will be allowed, as will digital display boards. But no structures that obstruct movement can be built.
Akhtar also said the commission has not yet received a certified copy of the court order reinstating the Bagerhat constituency.
"We have not yet received the certified copy. Once we have the verdict, the EC will review it and decide whether to appeal or not — the next course of action will be determined," he said.
More than 30 petitions over constituency boundary re‑demarcation have gone to court. Asked whether delays in resolving these could affect the schedule, Akhtar said, "It could have an impact."
He further said, "Once claims and objections are settled, there is no scope to question the final re‑demarcated boundaries of parliamentary constituencies in court. Still, it would not be right to comment without reviewing the verdict."