Take challenge of a fair poll

While speaking at a workshop, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal ordered the government officials to take the challenge that the commission can hold a free and fair election. The Awami League government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is determined to hold a free, fair and credible election in Bangladesh.

The government has given the country’s democracy a strong footing. It has done everything required to hold a fair election that includes introducing a voter list with photographs and transparent ballot boxes so none can manipulate the polls.

The government is also taking all preparations to set an example holding the next general election in a free and fair manner. To hold a free, fair and non-violent election, all irrespective of political affiliation especially the civil servants should exhibit topmost sincerity.

The commission has been given absolute authority. The EC is constituted under a law and the prime minister does not appoint election commissioners.

All-out 

support is a must for holding a fair and 

participatory polls

Therefore, the government officials should be careful to thwart any propaganda in the media particularly social media so that none can hinder the election process anyway. The next general poll will be credible when they (government officials) will discharge their duty properly.

There can be various types of debates and criticisms about the elections. They must ensure congenial atmosphere so that voters can come to the polling centers and exercise their franchise freely.

The government officials especially deputy commissioners and upazila nirbahi officers will have to play a strong role and take pragmatic steps to make the upcoming elections neutral and participatory through identifying the risk-prone voting centres. Being imbued with the spirit of the liberation struggle and patriotism, government officials should work with devotion in this regard.

They will also have to ensure proper implementation and enforcement of the electoral code of conduct in the upcoming elections. The respective upazila nirbahi officers, deputy commissioners, police commissioners and superintendents of police (SPs) must perform their due responsibilities to ensure proper implementation and enforcement of the electoral code of conduct in the upcoming national polls.

Noting that the observance of electoral code of conduct is a prerequisite for conducting elections in a free, fair and peaceful manner. All-out support is a must for holding a fair and participatory polls in this regard.

Election is the only way to come to power or bring  about change as the politics of terror and violence in the name of movement can never be beneficial for the country, society and economy; rather, it makes the political atmosphere chaotic.

We think the government officials must carry out CEC’s order properly in order to hold the next general election in a free and fair manner in order to uphold the country’s democracy and voting rights of the people.