No pressure on holding next national polls: CEC

Staff Reporter :
There is no pressure on the Election Commission (EC) from foreign countries and diplomats on the issue of holding next parliamentary polls, said Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal.
He said it in the National Identity Cards (NIDs) distribution programme in Potuakhali district’s Mirzagonj Upazila on Wednesday.
Kazi Habibul Awal said I have no comment about the diplomats’ remarks on the issue of our next parliamentary polls. It’s the matter of the Bangladesh government and the diplomats.
CEC said I can assure that the next parliamentary polls will be held on time. The EC is not giving pressure on any particular party to participate in the next national polls.
“We have invited all political parties in the EC
for discussing the polls related matter, especially how we can make a joint effort to organize free, fair and credible election.”
Kazi Habibul Awal said main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) participation in next national polls will glorify the election system.
CEC hoped that all EC registered political parties will take part in the next parliamentary polls.
EC Secretary Md. Jahangir Alam presided at the programme where NID Wing Director General Humayun Kabir was present as special guest. Among others, Barishal Divisional Commissioner Md Amin Ul Ahshan, Identification System for Enhancing Access to Services (IDEA 2nd Phase) Project Director (PD) Brigadier General Abul Hashnat Mohammad Sayem were present.
Refer to that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina declared on December 7 that the next general election in the country will be held in the first week of January 2024.