The Election Commission (EC) will ensure a level-playing field for all political parties and candidates after the announcement of the election schedule.
“We’ll work to create a level-playing field after the announcement of the election schedule,” CEC Kazi Rakib Uddin Ahamed told reporters replying to a query as to how the EC will create a level-playing field as a party sells nomination papers when top leaders of other parties are in jail.
He came up with this remark after a commission meeting at the EC secretariat. The meeting was held to discuss the preparation of election conducting manual, which will act as guidelines for polling officials during the next general election.
About a consensus over polls-time government, he said, “My expectation is that political parties will reach a compromise not resorting violence so that the democratic process can continue. It’s also expectation of the countrymen that the election will be held in a peaceful manner,” he told reporters.
“No one wants violence. Violence can’t be the language of democracy. We all want a peaceful election. So my appeal to all is that time is not over yet. All partners will be sincere so that the democratic process can continue,” he said urging political parties to come forward to hold a peaceful election.
The CEC said the commission welcomes the decision of a political compromise among the two major political parties, even if it comes at the last moment. “The commission will try to accommodate the decision.”
Asked whether the commission will take initiatives for talks between the two major political parties, Rakibuddin said the law does not allow the commission to engage two parties or two alliances as its job is to conduct elections. “The commission has nothing in this regard other than holding expectation.”
About Jamaat-e Islami’s registration, he said the High Court released its full-text of judgment declaring illegal the registration of Jamaat. The commission received the copy of verdict.
Responding to a query when the commission will publish the gazette cancelling registration of Jamaat, the CEC said the issue is settled in the court verdict. No one can go beyond the judgment. “The verdict will remain effective until or unless the Supreme Court doesn’t stay or reverse it… The judgment of the appellate will be the final,” he added.
In response to another query, he said the commission is not looking at anyone for the announcement of the election schedule. The schedule will be announced timely as per the law, he added expressing the hope that a solution to the ongoing political stalemate will come within the time.
Over the preparation of the 10th parliamentary election due by January 24 next, the CEC said the preparation is now at the final stage.
About the proposed election code of conduct for political parties and candidates, he said the commission received many suggestions and opinions through e-mails, websites and letters. Of them, some are good suggestions but disregard of the code of conduct. The commission will consider how the good suggestions can be applied.
The commission will finalise the code examining all the suggestions the commission received, Kazi Rakibuddin said.
Earlier on November 7, the commission uploaded its proposed code on its website – www.ecs.gov.bd – seeking suggestions and opinion from the political parties and the people within November 14. -UNB
