| শিরোনাম | সূত্র | তারিখ |
| প্রেসিডেণ্ট ইয়াহিয়া কর্তৃক নির্বাচনের তারিখ পরিবর্তন |
দ্যা ডন | ১৬ আগষ্ট, ১৯৭০ |
ELECTIONS SHIFTED TO DECEMBER
Decision due to floods
Dacca, Aug. 15: The President, Gen. A. M. Madhya Khan today announced the postponement of countrywide general elections, originally fixed for October 5, till December 7, this year, in view of the unprecedented flood situation in East Pakistan.
The new date of elections to the National Assembly was fixed for December 7. while the elections to the provincial assemblics would be held not later than December 19.
In a statement the President said that the decision to postpone the dates for elections had been taken “after very careful consideration” of various factors arising out of the unprecedented flood situation in East Pakistan.
He said the forthcoming elections were of supreme importance for the future of Pakistan and as such it was essential that the maximum number of people participated in the polls. He said it now appeared certain that unless election were postponed, it would not be possible to ensure this.
Gen. Yahya said the Government machinery, which would carry out various functions connected with the elections. was now fully occupied with the very important work of flood relief and practically the entire complement of the provincial Government, from the highest to the lowest, would continue to be engaged in relief work for months. It was, therefore, a question of weighing the relative importance and urgency of relief work and election work.
The President declared he did not have the slightest hesitation in deciding that the alleviation of human misery must take precedence over everything else. The flood waters might start receding soon, but there would always be the possibility of a second flood in September. In this state of uncertainty it was impossible to predict if conditions would be suitable for elections on October 5, the President said. It was, therefore, considered necessary to shift the date in such a manner as to ensure minimum interference in the holding of the national polls.
Explaining the difficulty in holding the elections on the original date, Gen. Yahya said for the purpose of holding elections the Chief Election Commissioner had to use practically the entire Government machinery. Officials at various levels had to perform different functions. The Subdivisional Officers and Circle Officers would have to carry out the duties of Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers.
The polling booths had to be established in various localities and many other related steps had to be taken. But the machinery, which would carry out various functions
