Staff Reporter :
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin said the Election Commission wants to demonstrate what the rule of law means in the upcoming election.
He made the remarks on Saturday in Chattogram at a workshop titled ‘Identifying the challenges faced by polling officers in performing their duties in the election process and ways to overcome them.’
The CEC said that in the next national election presiding officers will be given every kind of authority. However, if they do not use that authority properly, it will be treated as an offence.
He said that if appropriate measures are not taken in time, we will not view that favorably. Having authority is important, but using it is equally important.
A M M Nasir Uddin said, “We want you to exercise whatever powers you have at your respective levels. Let us set an example of what the rule of law means in this country – we want to demonstrate that in this election. Whatever happens, the Election Commission is beside you, behind you and with you. If you act under the law and follow the rules in any situation, the Election Commission will give you full support. I give you that assurance.”
He said, “Those of you who will be presiding officers will have full authority on election day. Returning officers and presiding officers have all kinds of powers. If there is disorder, you should close the centre (stop voting). If there is trouble at three centres, close those three centres. If necessary, you may suspend voting for the entire constituency.”
CEC Nasir Uddin said, “We are not people who will easily give up. We will not yield easily. We are behind you. I am assuring you the Election Commission will give you full support. You must prove you stand by us. If I get the impression from your conduct that you are working for a particular party or person, then your legal and moral authority will be weakened.”
