Staff Correspondent, Dhaka
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin yesterday said that the Election Commission this time has regained the power to cancel the election of an entire parliamentary constituency if such problems arise.
“If we see that there are problems, then we’ll cancel the entire constituency’s election. Later, we will deploy Army and thus conduct it again,” he said.
The CEC said this while delivering his concluding remarks at a dialogue with representatives of the civil society held at the Election Commission Bhaban (Nirbachan Bhaban) in the capital’s Agargaon area.
AMM Nasir Uddin said, “We definitely want to make this election transparent. We want to make arrangements so that everyone can see it. We welcome your suggestions to bring in foreign observers. We also want to increase the number of local observers as much as possible”.
He said that a good number of suggestions came regarding the misuse of social media and AI. “Many of you are saying that you gave many recommendations in the past, but those were not implemented. Insha Allah, we’ll try and we’ve already taken up many of them,” he added.
The CEC also said, “With everyone’s cooperation, Insha Allah, we’ll be able to hold a good election. I’ve one request for you … since you’ve influence in the society, wherever you speak, please encourage people for a participatory election so that everyone comes in the election”.
The CEC further said that from their side, they have assured that they are committed to holding the election totally in a free, impartial, neutral, and professional manner.
“So, you may advocate on our behalf that this Election Commission is committed to do that. We’ll try our best …With a coordinated approach from various agencies, stakeholders, and people across the country, Insha Allah, we can make the election acceptable and credible. We’ve no shortage of goodwill. We only seek your cooperation,” he added.
Four Election Commissioners, the Commission’s Senior Secretary, and other senior officials were present at the EC dialogue.
Among the civil society representatives who were present include former Adviser to the Caretaker Government Begum Rasheda K Chowdhury, former Ambassador M Humayun Kabir, Dhaka University Professor Robaet Ferdous, along with 13 other distinguished persons.
Begum Rasheda K Chowdhury said that the safety of women and children must be ensured before, during, and after the election.
She noted that the crisis of trust is being widely discussed, and ordinary people understand it. “The common people must not be neglected,” she said calling for ensuring the voting rights of the womenfolk and persons with disabilities.
Professor Robaet Ferdous demanded that the media be given unrestricted access during the election.
