Election time govt is a political issue: CEC

Staff Reporter :
Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal on Wednesday said that the Commission had nothing to do about the election time government because it is a political issue.
“We have taken the oath to hold elections as per the laws and the Constitution. But I will not make any comment about the election time government because it was a political matter,” he added.
Addressing a dialogue with the senior journalists in the Conference Room of the Election Commission, Awal said the Commission is holding talks with different stakeholders to get opinions for fair elections.
The meeting was attended by 22 senior journalists including Editor of the Daily Jugantar Saiful Alam, Editor of the Daily Observer Iqbal Sobhan, Editor of the Ajker Potrika Golam Rahman, Editor of the Naya Diganta Alamgir Mohiuddin, Editor of the New Age Nurul Kabir, Editor of the Bhorer Kagoj Shyamal Dutta, Editor of the Daily Ittefaq Tasmima Hossain, Editor of the Business Standard Enam Ahmed, Joint Editor of the Prothom Alo Sohrab Hasan, Associate Editor of the Prothom Alo Anisul Hoque, Acting editor of the Samakal Mozammel Hossain, Advisory Editor of the Samakal Abu Syed Khan and President of the Jatiya Press Club Farida Yesmin.
“The EC would not talk about the election time government. It hinges on the political leadership. It is political matter. We shall try out best to hold fair and participatory polls,” CEC said.
 “We need suggestions from all stakeholders to conduct elections. Many of them have pointed out various challenges. We would identify the challenges and take steps accordingly. It is a political matter,” CEC Awal said.
Senior journalist Abu Syed Khan said, “The major question is that under which government the elections will be held. A political consensus is necessary about the election time government. EC can start the discussion about it only.”
Saiful Alam said, “Gaining people’s confidence and their spontaneous participation is necessary to hold fair polls. The election will be controversial if people don’t cast votes. Votes are the people’s rights. When their rights are undermined, they become aggrieved.”
He pointed out that political influence, muscle power and money can temper the elections.
“People’s trusts have been fallen. EC’s major task is to restore that trust. EC has nothing to lose,” Nurul Kabir said.
Farida Yesmin said, “There will be political pressure for holding fair polls. The political party leaders don’t look at each other. This hinders fair election.”
Shyamal Dutta said, “The major task of EC is to restore their lost image. EC in the past could not hold fair polls. Foreign Minister has requested the USA to bring Bangladesh Nationalist Party to election. It is really shameful. It is shameful for asking others for creating election environment.”
Tasmima Hossain said, “Country’s fate is depending on the next general election. I don’t think EC can hold a hundred percent fair polls.” She suggested holding polls in different divisions in different days.