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“Once the election schedule is announced, we will then complete the training process gradually, phase by phase. Initially, we will train the masters, who will train the other polling officials at different levels,” he said.

“We will also hold mock voting to make the election process smooth and meaningful. Then come the law enforcement deployment plans to outline how and where they will be deployed. Budgeting will follow accordingly,” he also said.

Akhtar added that some preparatory tasks have already been completed, while others will be determined in due course.

Earlier, on June 4, Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud said that elections to local government bodies are expected to begin with union parishad polls in October, with the schedule likely to be announced in August.

The EC has already published the draft code of conduct for the five tiers of local government elections on its website since June 10 and sought feedback from political parties and other stakeholders.

Regarding the draft code, the EC secretary said work was continuing and the commission had already received feedback from several quarters.

Meanwhile, the EC has requested the Dhaka North City Corporation and Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station to evict illegal computer and photocopy shops operating in front of and around its headquarters in Agargaon to curb irregularities in National Identity Card services.

The development was disclosed in a working paper prepared for the EC’s monthly coordination meeting for June, which was made available yesterday.

The document also noted that eviction drives have already been conducted.