Chattogram Correspondent

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal said that propaganda is being spread in many places about the upcoming 12th national election.

“A few people raised questions regarding the importance of voting saying that the vote will go to one symbol for whoever it is cast. But, we can guarantee that there is no chance of changing the cast votes,” he said.

The CEC said these while talking to journalists after a view exchange meeting with the field level officials and law enforcement agencies on the occasion of the 12th National Parliament Election at the PTI Auditorium in the port city on Tuesday.

The CEC said the upcoming election should be free, impartial, acceptable and credible at any cost.

“There was discussion about casting vote in the night and others earlier. We can guarantee 100 per cent that those will not take place this time and ballot papers will be sent to the centres in the morning,” he said.

"In our election culture, many people use black money to hire professional terrorists. Strict vigilance would be maintained so that they do not influence the voter,” the CEC stated.

The candidates put up the matters of stray clashes in the meeting while they expressed satisfaction with the behaviour of the returning officers and members of the law enforcement agencies, he said.

Kazi Habibul also informed that transparency of the voting process will be reflected through the media as media personnel will be outside and inside the polling centres.

Media and observers do not need permission from the presiding officer to enter the polling station. They can directly enter the polling station and take pictures, he said.

“We have developed a mobile application where the percentage of casting votes of each centre can be noticed after two hours intervals. Its objective is to check the unusual rise in the voting rate,” explained the CEC.

“The candidates will check the transparent boxes in the polling centre in the morning with their polling agents,” he said.

Kazi Habibul informed that the presiding officer has been asked to stop the vote if any muscle strength arises. If the presiding officer does not stop, the returning officer will stop it if he is informed. If he doesn't close it and the election commission will do it if they are informed from Dhaka.

“We have explained the respective responsibilities to the administration and law enforcement agencies including the police. I heard the speech of officers in-charge (OCs), Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs), Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and the Superintendant of Police (SP) here. According to them, the polling environment is still good,” he said.

The concerned officials have been asked to ensure that no unauthorised person enters the centre. If an unauthorised person enters the polling station, it should be understood that he has entered with a bad intention. Then polling will be questionable.

“We have given a strong message that nothing like this should be happened,” he warned.

Chittagong Divisional Commissioner's office organised the view exchange meeting.

All deputy commissioners of Chattogram division, Superintendent of Police, UNOs and OCs of all police stations were present at the meeting.

Chattogram Divisional Commissioner Md Tofail Islam presided over the meeting while Election Commissioner Secretary Md Jahangir Alam, Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner Krishna Pada Roy, Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Noor-E-Alam Mina, Deputy Commissioner Abul Bashar Mohammed Fakhruzzaman and District Superintendent of Police (SP) SM Shafiullah attended the meeting among others.

Earlier, the CEC held a meeting with the candidates at the LGED auditorium in the morning.