CEC would be pleased if all political parties including BNP join polls

Staff Reporter :
Urging BNP to participate in the election, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal has said Election Commission always wants all parties to participate in the elections.
He said, “We urge all parties to join in the next election. We would be pleased especially if BNP joins in the election. We expect that every party should create a competitive atmosphere by joining in the elections. We cannot force any party to participate in election.”
CEC also promised to organize the Rangpur City Corporation (RpCC) elections-2022 in a free, fair and orderly environment.
The CEC made the remarks following meeting of law enforcers at deputy commissioner’s office in Rangpur on Tuesday.
The development of democracy would be hampered if there is no scope of competition in the election, said Kazi Habibul Awal.
“Political parties should arrange dialogue among themselves. They should sit for dialogue. Showing strength on streets and holding election by casting ballots at the center are not the same.”
He expressed hope that they (political parties) will be able to arrange a competitive and credible election denying whatever the differences they have.
“Law and order situation will be good in the election. Those, who are in charge of law and order in Rangpur, have assured me of having maximum preparations. There will be no deterioration of law and order situation,” he said. Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd) Md Ahsan Habib Khan and Secretary to the EC Secretariat Md. Jahangir Alam attended the meeting as special guests.
Returning Officer for RpCC Elections-2022 and Joint Secretary of the Election Commission Md. Abdul Baten, Divisional Commissioner Md. Sabirul Islam, Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Nure Alam Mina, Deputy Commissioner Dr Chitralekha Nazneen, Rangpur Regional Election Officer GM Sahatab Uddin and other officials were present.
The CEC told the journalists that the Election Commission thinks that voters will not face any obstacle in the elections.
“The RpCC elections will be monitored from both Dhaka and Rangpur with CCTV cameras. If any problem is noticed, steps will be taken immediately,” he said.
He said polling agents will also be monitored. If they create problems, actions will be taken against them too. But, the presiding officers have to take responsibility to ensure good election.
He called upon the people of Rangpur city to come to the polling stations with confidence and faith and without fear.
The CEC said, “Our messages properly go to the voters through the media. Media workers perform their civic duties. You (voters) come to the polling stations and exercise voting rights. I am assuring voters of not facing obstacles.”
He said, “In the election, media movement will be free. Media workers can go inside except going to the secret rooms. We give due importance to the media.”
A total of 255 candidates, including nine for mayor posts, 179 for 33 general councilor posts and 67 for 11 reserved women councilor posts are finally in the fray for RpCC Election-2022.  
The RpCC election will be held at 229 polling centres using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) from 8 am to 4 pm on December 27 next. Every polling station will be covered by CCTV cameras.
As many as 4,26,469 voters, including 2,12,302 males and 2,14,167 females, will exercise their franchise in the RpCC Election- 2022.