The Election Commission on Tuesday sought assistance from the President for holding a peaceful general election with the participation of all political parties. “We’ve told the President we want a peaceful election with the participation of all. We won’t compromise when it comes to holding a fair election,” Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad told reporters after a meeting with President Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban. A five-member delegation of the commission, led by CEC Rakibuddin Ahmad, met the President at Bangabhaban at 4pm. The other delegation members are election commissioners Mohammad Abdul Mobarak, Md Shah Nawaz and Mohammad Abu Hafiz, and EC secretary Dr Mohammad Sadik. During the hour-long meeting, the Election Commission members apprised the President of their preparations for holding the next national election. “We’ve apprised the President of the measures the Election Commission has taken for holding the upcoming 10th parliamentary elections in a free, fair and neutral manner,” the CEC said. The commission has updated the voter list properly removing all the flaws and mistakes from it, he added. “We’ve informed the President that our technical preparations for the next election have already been completed… We’ve told him about our election preparation is now at the final stage. We’re ready to hold a fair and peaceful election.” Replying to a query from reporters, the CEC said the schedule for the election will be announced in time. President’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim said during the meeting the EC delegation the President expressed his hope about holding a fair, peaceful and neutral election. “The President also expressed his satisfaction over the measures the Election Commission has taken for arranging the election,” he added. – UNB
