Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda on Sunday said he thinks that army should be deployed during the upcoming national elections.
“It’s my personal view that army should be deployed during the national elections. But we don’t want army deployment during the local govt polls,” he said.
He came up with the comment while replying to queries from reporters at a programme titled ‘Introducing Overseas Voting in Bangladesh’ organised by Election Working Group at the Cirdap auditorium in the city.
“Army was deployed during the national polls in the past and army can be deployed in the next national polls. But I can’t take any decision alone, we have other commissioners. Decision will be taken on the basis of the opinion of all,” he said.
About voting rights of Bangladeshis living abroad, the CEC said that they are working on it seriously. “Campaign though media will be arranged to raise the awareness about the overseas voting,” he said.
Director of Election Working Group Abdul Alam presented a paper titled ‘Introducing Overseas Voting in Bangladesh: Issues and Challenges’ at the programme.
BNP senior leader Nazrul Islam Khan said ensuring the representation and participation of the overseas voters is a complex issue but it is very important.
The Election Commission should pay attention to the local voters who missed their opportunity of casting vote such as government employee engaged in election process, and prisoners.
Awami League presidium member and lawmaker Muhammad Faruk Khan said, “Vote of every citizen is important to us. Awami league is serious to take step to include the expats. We are working on it as we had promised to the people. “
For EC Shakhawat Hussain, former ambassador Nasim Firdous and Abdul Momen Chowdhury also spoke while executive member of EWG S M Harun Or Rashid delivered the vote of thanks.
