The Election Commission (EC) has ordered the suspension of elections of all professional, educational and organizational bodies across the country until February 12, aiming to ensure a free, fair and interference-free 13th National Parliament election and referendum.

The directive was issued on Monday (January 12) through a letter signed by Mohammad Monir Hossain, Deputy Secretary of the Election Management-2 Branch of the Election Commission Secretariat.

According to the letter, the 13th parliamentary election and referendum are scheduled to be held on February 12. To prevent any form of influence or disruption during this critical period, the EC has decided to temporarily halt elections of all types of organizations.

The suspension applies to elections of professional bodies, educational institutions, transport owners’ and workers’ associations, journalists’ associations, chambers of commerce and merchant associations, cooperative societies, trade unions, as well as all other registered and unregistered organizations.

The Election Commission has instructed that elections to these organizations may only be held after February 12.

The EC stated that the precautionary measure has been taken to avoid chaos, overlapping political activities or any unintended impact from local or organizational elections during the parliamentary election process.