Election commissioner Md Alamgir on Thursday said that the upcoming national polls will be held in a free and fair way.
“We can give guarantee that the election will be fair”, he said while talking to reporters in his office at Nirbachan Bhaban on Thursday.
"We will not compromise for the sake of fair elections; if necessary I will withdraw myself from the responsibility…As long as we are in the office, we will work for fair elections,” Md Alamgir said.
Alamgir also hinted at sitting with parties that did not respond to the commission's earlier call for dialogues, including the BNP.
He also said that political problems should be solved politically.
"The Election Commission has nothing to do here. It is a political problem. Political problems must be solved politically. There is nothing we can do about it. The constitution also does not give us that responsibility.”
Alamgir said that the Election Commission's responsibility is to hold polls properly, ensuring a level-playing field even before the election schedule is announced.
The commission has to make sure that those who participate in the election can carry out campaigns freely so that the voters could come to polling stations and vote for the candidate of their choice, the counting of votes is done properly and the results of the election are properly reflected, he added.
In replying to a query, Alamgir Hossain said the leaders of the opposition groups only can say why they do not have faith in the Election Commission.
“During the last one year of our activities, we have proven our neutrality in all elections”, he said.
EC member Alamgir mentioned that elections in almost all the countries are held under the political government.
“It depends on how the election commission plays its roles in holding the elections”, he added.
In a further query, he replied as saying that dialogue with the political parties have already been held and it could be held further for the greater interest of the country and its democratic practice.
