The government will hold discussions with the Election Commission next week to review preparations for local government elections, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam said Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat, he said he would visit the Commission with the prime minister’s approval to discuss the state of readiness.
“We may go next week, with the prime minister’s consent, to see how far preparations have progressed and what the situation is,” he said.
The state minister noted that the Election Commission will announce the schedule and conduct the polls, while the ministry will provide necessary support as local government institutions fall under its jurisdiction.
He said the ministry will assist with election expenses and matters related to the expiry of local government terms.
When asked about the schedule, he said only the EC could provide details.
On government proposals, he said funds have already been allocated to hold five local government elections in the current fiscal year. “We have kept Tk6,000 crore in the budget for these five elections,” he added.
