DHAKA, Nov 9, 2023 (BSS) - Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal today said that the schedule of the 12th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) elections will be announced soon as the polls must be held before January 29.

"We will announce polls schedule soon because it is the time for that. We have to hold the elections before January 29 at any cost," he told journalists after meeting President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban here.

Other election commissioners and the secretary of the commission were present at the meeting. The election commissioners went to Bangabhaban to apprise the President of the preparations for the election.

The CEC said that they informed the President that the election is approaching fast and the President is aware of the polls time.

"But we are yet to take the final decision. Now we will discuss and fix a tentative time," Awal said.

He said the President expressed his satisfaction over the commission's preparations and hoped that the upcoming election will be held in a free, fair and neutral manner.

Noting that the President asked the Election Commission to ensure democratic and constitutional continuity in the country at any cost, Awal said, "President Mohammed Shahabuddin has assured of extending all sorts of assistance to hold the 12th parliament elections in a free and fair manner. He hoped that the election will be held in a disciplined way".

The CEC sought cooperation from all political parties, government and the country's people over the polls.