Despite the removal of various heads of government institutions following the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government, the Election Commission had not yet resigned.
However, in the face of mounting pressure from students and the general public, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal and four other commissioners are now stepping down.
In anticipation of their departure, the Awal-led commission held a meeting with all officials of the Election Commission Secretariat.
The meeting took place at the Election Commission building in Agargaon at around 11am on Thursday (5 September).
Following the meeting with the officials, the commissioners are expected to hold a briefing with journalists.
According to sources within the Election Commission, after the press conference, the commission, led by the CEC, will officially announce their resignation.
Sources further revealed that after the CEC and the four election commissioners resign, they will instruct the Election Commission Secretariat to send their resignation letters to President Mohammed Sahabuddin.
Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India following a public uprising led by students and citizens.
On 6 August, President Sahabuddin dissolved the 12th Parliament.
Election Commission officials explained that the decision to resign was made in light of the constitutional requirement to hold parliamentary elections within 90 days of the dissolution. This constitutional obligation necessitated the commissioners' resignation.
The Election Commission, led by Kazi Habibul Awal, took office on 27 February 2022 for a five-year term.
Under the previous Awami League government, the commission had been at the centre of numerous controversies. The current commission was heavily criticised for the conduct of the last national election.
In an effort to portray the election as participatory, the Awami League was forced to field dummy independent candidates.
