Monitoring foreign diplomats activities not function of EC

Staff Reporter :
The Election Commission (EC) has no function to monitor the activities of the foreign diplomats who are commenting about the free, fair, credible and participatory polls in Bangladesh.
If any foreign diplomat wants to give an opinion regarding polls, there are different ministries to look into the matter, but the EC is not responsible to match them.
Election Commissioner Md Ahsan Habib Khan said this while talking to reporters after visiting the voter enrollment activities with photographs at Nababganj High School in Chapainawabganj on Saturday.
In reply to a query regarding the recent remark of Japanese ambassador, Md Ahsan Habib Khan replied, “The government and the ministry concerned will talk about it. Our duty is to implement the election process as per the constitution. We will only do what is necessary and ensure to conduct the polls.”
Recently Japanese Ambassador said that he never heard of stuffing ballot boxes by police personnel the day before elections. This remark created resentment among the government and police administration.
Md Ahsan Habib Khan said that the Election Commission is trying its best to create a level-playing field for an inclusive election.
He, however, said indicating that it is not possible to install CC cameras in 300 constituencies.
“Some 1100 CCTV cameras were installed in 143 centers in Gaibandha by-polls. But it would be needed 350,000 CCTV cameras to install across the country to monitor polls. However, the EC will decide on the issue later,” he said in reply to a query.
“The Election Commission is trying to create a level-playing field with the participation of all parties. But I believe that, the level-playing field currently exists, and the willingness and participation of all political parties are needed now,” he said.
Habib Khan said this while talking to reporters after visiting the voter enrollment activities with photographs at Nababganj High School in Chapainawabganj.
“The EC has a discussion with different political parties and other parties still can sit with us as there is no lack of sincerity among us to hold a free, fair and neutral election after creating a level-playing field,” he added.
He also said that they are performing their duties accurately as per the nation’s constitution.
Deputy Commissioner AKM Galiv Khan, Superintendent of Chapainawabganj Police AHM Abdur Rakib, Regional Election Officer of Rajshahi division Saiful Islam, District Election Officer Motawakkil rahman and Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Roushan Ali were present there.