Staff Correspondent

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal has said that a favourable political environment is required to hold a free, fair, participatory and celebratory election.

It is undeniable that the political leadership is at odds on the issue of elections but conflict and violence from these differences are not desirable. However, it cannot be said that vandalism and violence are not happening at all, he said while addressing the nation on Saturday evening on the eve of the 12th parliamentary election to be held on Sunday (7 January).

“People are being injured and killed in addition to damage to national wealth. There are also tragic deaths of innocent, harmless, innocent children, women, and men. A permanent solution and end to this ongoing situation is needed. The political leadership should take serious initiative in this regard,” he added.

“We always believe that any political crisis can be resolved through negotiation and constructive dialogue,” the CEC said further.

“However, we are concerned about some recent incidents of vandalism and violence. Still, as part of the inviolable constitutional duty, I request the people to overcome all worries, anxiety and uneasiness and fearlessly come to the polling station in a joyful atmosphere and freely exercise their precious right to vote and perform their precious civic duty,” said the CEC addressing the nation.

“The boycotting parties have promised to refrain from violent means and call upon the people to boycott the elections only through peaceful means. It instilled confidence in the public but incidents of violence and vandalism are becoming visible amid the declared hartal blockade. Trains, vehicles, and polling stations were set on fire. We do not care who is responsible,” he added.

CEC expects to make elections credible at home and abroad

Earlier in the morning on Saturday, the CEC expressed hope that the 12th parliamentary election will be credible nationally and internationally.

The Election Commission arranged “Press the Meet: The 12th Parliamentary Election 2024” at the Bangabandhu International Conference for local and international journalists and election observers.

“Credibility is a relative matter but we would try making the election credible widely. We are optimistic that the election would be credible at home and abroad,” he said while addressing the journalists and observers.

The CEC said the commission may face challenges as a major political block is strongly campaigning against the vote.

“This time there are some challenges ahead because several incidents have already occurred. A major political party together with alliance parties is formidably campaigning against the election,” he said.

Habibul Awal, however, said the commission would be able to conduct this election with the participation of the people amid opposition resistance.

“We will be able to arrange this election with the participation of the people and voters despite having opposition and resistance,” he added.

When his attention was drawn that many election experts thought it would not be an actual election, but rather a selection amid the boycott of BNP and 15 other parties, the CEC said the commission is not entitled to be involved in any political debate. It has a mandate just to hold the election.

“The debate will remain in the political landscape and it is the politicians who may solve it one day,” he said.
Habibul Awal asked the candidates to put their polling agents in every polling booth for the sake of holding this election in a fair manner.

The CEC said, “Had the BNP participated in the election, the election would have been more competitive, more inclusive and more festive. This is a reality.”

Earlier, an audio-visual presentation was screened over the preparation to hold the 12th national election.
Four election commissioners, the foreign secretary and the EC secretary were present on the occasion.