DHAKA, Sept 2, 2023 (BSS) - Election Commissioner Md Anisur Rahman today said that the 12th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) elections will be held in the first week of January next year.

"We have not fixed the polling date yet. But we can assure that the next JS elections will be held in the first week of January in 2024," he said while speaking at the inaugural function of a training programme in the city.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal inaugurated the first phase of training of trainers (TOT) programme at Electoral Training Institute (ETI) in the city's Agargaon area.

Anisur said that with launching of the TOT programme, the activities to hold the next JS polls have formally started.
 
Election commissioners Brigadier General (Retd) Md Ahsan Habib Khan, Rashida Sultana and Md Alamgir also spoke at the function with Election Commission (EC) Secretary Md Jahangir Alam in the chair.

Under the TOT programme, 3,200 trainers will be given the training by November 30 while these trainers will give training to about 9 lakh polling officials at field level across the country.

Speaking on the occasion, Election Commissioner Md Alamgir urged the participants in the TOT programme to study the electoral laws, saying that it is necessary to know the laws well to stage a good election.

Another election commissioner Rashida Sultana urged the participants to work with utmost sincerity and honesty and make sure that the election cannot be questionable.

Election commissioner Brigadier General (retd) Md Ahsan Habib Khan underscored the need for cooperation from all to hold a free, fair and peaceful election.

"A good training can help present a good election. We have held 1,000 elections in free, fair and neutral manner after assuming the office. No question was raised centering these polls," he said, adding that the polling officials have a great role in the polling centres.