The Election Commission has begun preparations for the next local government elections and is taking the necessary steps to ensure that the polls are conducted in a free, fair and impartial manner, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told Jatiya Sangsad on Tuesday.

Responding to a question from lawmaker Sheikh Md Rezaul Islam, local government minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, said that the EC had already initiated preparations and was equipped to hold a credible and participatory local government election within the stipulated timeframe.

His remarks were made during the parliamentary question-and-answer session, which was presided over by deputy speaker Kayser Kamal.

In response to a separate question from lawmaker Hasnat Abdullah, the minister said that the EC had introduced, for the first time, an IT-supported postal ballot registration system to enable overseas Bangladeshis to exercise their voting rights.

He said the initiative would be continued during the next general election, adding that the Election Commission was working to bring the largest possible number of expatriate Bangladeshis under the scheme.

Replying to a question from lawmaker Abdul Karim, the local government minister said the government currently had no plans to increase the salaries and allowances of Union Parishad chairmen and members.

He also said that, under the District Council Act, 2000, lawmakers elected under Article 65 of the Constitution automatically serve as advisers to the district council in their respective districts and provide advice on the discharge of its functions.