The Election Commission (EC) and the Election Commissioners as well are confident of their capabilities and competence to conduct the 12th parliamentary elections in a free and fair manner stated for January 7.
Two election commissioners on Friday said that the voting environment is congenial across the country. After visiting different districts, they witnessed a agreeable environment prevails to hold a free, fair and participatory election on time. They have the confidence in the preparations of the field-level administration to conduct the upcoming general elections in the scheduled time.
After a meeting with field-level officials and members of law enforcement agencies in Rangpur, Election Commissioner Begum Rashida Sultana said, “There is no apprehension over field-level officials. The elections will proceed as scheduled.”
She also said that the 12th parliamentary elections will be held on time. There is no possibility of postponing the polling date.
Meanwhile, another commissioner Anisur Rahman said that the EC is ready to hold the elections on time. However, there is a possibility to defer the election schedule if BNP decides to join the polls.
“BNP is a major political party and the party is still out of the election race. If the party joins the polls and makes any proposal in this regard, their proposal can be taken into consideration. Then the election schedule will be rescheduled,” said Anisur Rahman.
The two election commissioners informed about the stance of the Election Commission (EC) while talking to the journalists following separate preparatory meetings on the national elections in Rangpur and Moulvibazar.
Begum Rashida Sultana held the meeting with all government stakeholders of the national polls from some districts of Rangpur regions at the conference room of the Divisional Commissioner of Rangpur. Divisional Commissioner Habibur Rahman presided over the meeting.
On the other hand, Anisur Rahman held the closed meeting with the government stakeholders from Habiganj and Moulvibazar districts at the Circuit House in Moulvibazar.
District level and high officials of the district administration, election officials and representatives from law and order forces of the districts participated in the meetings. Begum Rashida Sultana and Anisur Rahman gave various instructions to the government officials and members of law enforcement agencies over election duty and to hold the election on time.
Begum Rashida Sultana in Rangpur said that the role of media is very important for conducting peaceful elections. She sought the cooperation of the media for a free, fair, peaceful and participatory election.
She said that the EC has nothing to do to stop the political programmes like hartal and blockade. However, the law enforcement agencies are vigilant in this regard. The voting environment is ready and will remain ready anyway. The law enforcement agencies are also ready. There will be a beautiful, free and acceptable election in the country according to the constitution, she added.
In reply to a question of journalists, she said that there is no scope to defer the election. “It will be held on time despite any situation,” she said.
She also warned that it will not be tolerated if peoples’ voting rights are snatched away. “It will be dealt with through law formulated by the Election Commission to protect the voting rights,” she said.
Rashida Sultana said that if the voters are intimidated, the criminals would get punishment. Earlier, attempts were made to collect votes by intimidating the voters and there was no provision for punishment. The current EC has made provisions to punish anyone if he/she shows any kind of intimidation, she added.
She, however, called upon the voters to inform the nearest law enforcement agencies if they show intimidation at night.
Mentioning that the EC has completed all kinds of preparations so that the voters can go to the polling stations and exercise their voting rights smoothly, she said that the law enforcement agencies and the field level administration are also very sincere in this regard.
Begum Rashida Sultana said, “We have talked to the officials at all levels of the administration. They are fully prepared to conduct free, fair, participatory and peaceful elections. We are conveying this message so that everyone can work together in the upcoming elections. We believe that we can give the nation a good election.”
Meanwhile, Election Commissioner Anisur Rahman in Moulvibazar said that the commission has written to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) and asked them not to shut down the network on the voting day.
However, everyone should be aware so that IPTVs do not spread any propaganda. “We are holding discussions with returning officers of the districts, members of law enforcement agencies, and other concerned persons so that there is no partiality in the election.” he said.
He also said that they have confidence in their abilities to hold free and fair elections on time. “It is not for us to see who participates in the elections and who does not. If anyone does not accept our invitation, we have nothing to do. However, elections will be held in a free and fair atmosphere,” he added.
Some Election Commissioners are now visiting different districts to see the environment of the 12th national elections.
The Election Commissioners are holding meetings with government officials, elections officers and law enforcing agencies and giving various instructions to them.
Begum Rashida Sultana held a preparatory meeting at the conference of Deputy Commissioner (DC) office in Dinajpur, while Election Commissioners Anisur Rahman and Brigadier General (Retd) Ahsan Habib Khan held meetings in Sylhet and Jhenaidah respectively on Thursday.