The Election Commission has reiterated its commitment to ensure a level playing field for political parties which will participate in the upcoming national parliamentary elections.
The EC is also committed to holding the next general elections in a free, fair and peaceful manner.
“The full commission has assured that they would ensure a level playing field for those political parties participating in the general election. The commission will hold the next general polls in a free, fair and peaceful manner,” EC secretary Md Jahangir Alam told reporters at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital.
Meanwhile, Trinamool BNP sent a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner on Thursday. Trinamool BNP chairman Samsher Mobin Chowdhury, Secretary General Taimur Alam Khandaker and Trinamool BNP founder Nazmul Huda's daughter and party's Executive Chairperson Antara Selima Huda wrote to the CEC.
The EC secretary said Trinamool BNP is a registered political party in Bangladesh. An 18-member delegation led by its chairperson Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury held a meeting with the Election Commission. They have placed 12 recommendations before the commission.
In their proposals, they requested the Election Commission to take action within legal jurisdiction for holding fair and free elections, especially announcement of results at the polling station, signature of the returning officer from the polling station and handover of the result to the agent of the candidate.
When asked how to ensure level playing field during the polls, the EC secretary said that the commission will decide about the matter later as several meetings will be held with law enforcement officials. The commission would inform the media about the matter after these meetings.
“Some of their recommendations are under the jurisdiction of the commission and some are under the jurisdiction of the government. The EC will decide about the recommendations which are under their jurisdiction. The EC will undertake all the activities to make the election fair and peaceful,” he added.
Election Commissioner earlier on September 26 said a "constitutional gap" will be created if the next general election is not held by January 29.
Election Commissioner Md Alamgir said, "There has to be an election in any situation. Otherwise there will be a constitutional gap. If that gap is created, there will be anarchy in the country.”
"The Election Commission cannot allow that to happen," Alamgir told reporters at the EC office while answering a question on the state of EC's election preparations and whether political parties are in election mode.
The current parliament expires on January 29. According to the constitution, the national election must be held at any time in the final 90 days of the parliament's tenure. The 90-day countdown starts on November 1.
Besides, the EC officials said that they are going to announce the election schedule in next November.
