The Chief Election Commissioner’s (CEC) speech ahead of the upcoming 13th national parliament election and referendum will be recorded on December 10 for broadcast on Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar. 

Senior Secretary of the Election Commission (EC) Secretariat Akhtar Ahmed shared the information during a briefing at the Nirbachan Bhaban at Agargaon in the capital, today. 

The EC Secretary said, “On December 10, the speech of CEC will be recorded on Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar. Now he (CEC) will decide the content and time of the record.”

In response to a query about the content of the speech, he added, “I have no idea about the content of the recording of the CEC's speech and when it will be done. You are asking whether the speech will be recorded on December 10, I say yes. But sir (CEC) knows what the content is and when it will be done.”

Replying to a question, the Secretary said that he has not been informed about the time of the meeting with the President yet. 

“I hope that it will be announced tomorrow,” he said. 

He further explained that after the announcement of the election schedule, those eligible to vote by postal ballot within the country must register within 15 days. 

They will then receive postal ballots at their designated addresses, he said. 

Only those directly involved in the election procedure such as members of the police, army, or Ansar forces may be deployed for five to seven days---will register later. 

However, government employees and individuals in legal custody must complete their registration within the 15-day window.

Meanwhile, the EC on Monday sent letter to BTV and Bangladesh Betar instructing them to record the CEC’s speech. 

The letter stated, “On the occasion of the 13th National Parliament Election and Referendum, the Chief Election Commissioner will address the nation. The Chief Election Commissioner’s speech will be broadcast simultaneously on Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar.” 

It also directed BTV to prepare a recording team to be sent to the EC Secretariat immediately after receiving confirmation of the recording schedule and to take necessary measures for broadcasting the speech at the designated time.

Earlier, after the 10th Commission meeting held Sunday at the Nirbachan Bhaban in Agargaon, Election Commissioner Brig. Gen. Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah (Retd.) told reporters that the schedule for the national elections and referendum would be announced very soon. 

“We have some work as per our tradition in the pre-scheduled activities. We the entire commission will meet the President. Letters will be sent to Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television tomorrow to record the speech of the Chief Election Commissioner. Our pre-scheduled activities have already been completed,” he added.