Committed to Constitution, not party, says Bd election boss

Dhaka, Feb 14 – Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda yesterday said as a state official, we are committed to the constitution, not to any political party and person.
He urged the election officials to arrange the Upazila polls in fully neutral aspect.
The CEC came up with the remarks while briefing the Returning Officers (RO) and Assistant Returning Officers over the Upazila elections in city’s Agargaon area on Thursday.
“Coordination is very important. The election officials in upazila and districts level, poling agents and law enforcement agencies will be there. Most important thing is the voter. And they are expecting a free, fair and credible polls,” said the CEC.
He said you (the officials) have to remember that a fair and credible is depend upon your efficiency, expertness and neutrality, said he expresses hope that no officials will not have any biasness and weakness to any party.
If the returning officials think that the election situation is out of control. Then he or she will recommend to the commission to stop the polls. If the commission felt the recommendation by the returning officials is right, the EC will have the power to stop the election anytime.
Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukdar said democracy is never one-party system. If there is no multi-party process, democracy does not get institutional shape. Therefore, it is always important to be holding elections participatory. However, participatory election is the absolutely primary achievement of the commission.
He said the first achievement of an election is to make it participatory. This time the upazila election has lost its nature.
“However we can never accept a controversial or questionable election. We must ensure free and fair election,” he said.
The election commission said the election is to be held in credible and acceptable manners. It is necessary to make people more confident about election management. It must be ensured. The election should be held in free and fair manner. – Staff Reporter