EC to hold elections at any cost, CEC says after meeting President

Staff Reporter :
The 12th parliamentary elections have to be organised in time at any cost, said Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habiul Awal on Thursday.

He insisted that the poll schedule will have to be announced soon. The election will have to be held before the stipulated time, 29 January, at any cost.

“We have an obligation to hold elections within the specified time. We will announce the schedule very soon,” the CEC told reporters following a meeting with President Mohammad Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban at 11:55am on Thursday (9 November).

During the meeting between EC officials and the president, the chief election commissioner informed the president of the overall preparations for the upcoming 12th National elections.

He said the Election Commission has already held a dialogue with political parties for the purpose of conducting free and fair elections. Necessary instructions have been given to the executive department for the smooth completion of the election.

President Md Sahabuddin hoped that the Election Commission will play a responsible role with courage and sincerity to make the next general election fair by following the constitutional rules and norms.

However, pointing out that it is not possible for the Election Commission alone to conduct a fair election, the president said that for a free and fair election, the active cooperation of the people including the executive department is required. Political parties should come forward for this purpose.

President Md Sahabuddin said elections are the most important means of reflecting people’s opinions in the democratic process.

And people elect their representatives through elections with the expectation that the wishes of the people will be fulfilled through those representatives, he added.

Stating that fair and participatory elections strengthen democracy, he also said democracy and development go hand in hand.

President Md Sahabuddin said that to continue the development of Bangladesh, the country’s democratic trend must be continued.

He urged the commission to play its role responsibly, with courage and sincerity and following constitutional rules and regulations.

The election commissioners and secretaries of the president were present at this time.