Command to EC, power to police, BGB, army, says CEC Awal

Staff Reporter :
Although I am in command of the power bestowed upon us, the power of execution lies in the hands of the law enforcers like police, BGB and army,” said Kazi Habibul Awal.
He said we have to make sure that the law enforcers respond when we want.
He made the statement during a dialogue with Bangladesh Muslim League at Election Commission (EC) headquarters on Monday.
CEC Awal hopes the commission will have some authority over the election-time government, regardless of whoever forms it.
“We will seek certain assistance from the government, but we will also have some power over them.”
“If they (the election-time government) do not support us, the election will be hard,” he added.
Efforts will be there to conduct a fair election, the CEC said, but the EC has limited power thus it would require help from all the stakeholders.
“The task of conducting elections is not easy. But we have to take it as a challenge and become successful,” he noted.
He observed that the major problems can be solved politically through negotiations.
“If you take initiative collectively, we will try to cooperate by applying the authority given to us,” he said.
Habibul Awal also called upon the political parties to make an effort together with their allies to solve the problems to keep the election time political situation favourable for exercising voting rights. All the political parties along with their allies need sincere commitment to making it happen during election time.
The CEC also suggested the political parties change their mindset on only winning the elections.
Earlier in the day during dialogue with Workers Party of Bangladesh urged all political parties to deal politically if any foreign attempts to interfere in national elections are made.
“If any support comes from outside the country, we cannot say anything about it. Besides, if any threat comes from outside the country, you will deal with it politically. The Election Commission has nothing to do in this matter. But it is not supposed to be happened. But you have to face it politically in the field.”
Urging all political parties to join in the next general election, Kazi Habibul Awal said, “We will always urge all to join to the elections. The Election Commission has never said that we will not hold elections if you (political party) do not come.”
“We believe in democracy, in election, it is multi-party democracy. If there is a two or three party system then there would be a question.” He also said that many people said that four or five ministries should be assigned to strengthen the EC.
“If the constitution is amended, maybe then we can take the charge of those ministries. Otherwise it would not be possible. Because there is a rule in the cabinet, who will be appointed and how they will be appointed, and that is not in our jurisdiction.” The CEC said Election Commission is not a ministry. “Taking charge of Home Ministry or another ministry would create another crisis.”
About EVMs, Kazi Habibul Awal said, “There is no problem in EVM. The problem is lack of trust. We have conducted about 200 elections. You look at field labels. In case of anyone’s mismatch of fingerprint we solved it by talking on video calls.”
The CEC asked all political parties to keep trust on them.