The Election Commission (EC) will give a strong message at the Deputy Commissioners' (DCs) Conference on Tuesday that the next general election has to be fair at any cost, Election Commissioner Md Anwarul Islam Sarker said on Sunday.
“We want to hold a good election and we have to do it at any cost. We will try to give this message,” he said while talking to reporters at his office in the capital.
Replying to a question, Anwarul said the EC will have a session at the conference on Tuesday evening.
The deputy commissioners are part and parcel of the election, he said, adding that DCs play a crucial role in elections. “Along with them, there are also law enforcement agencies.”
He said that this time they are committed to holding a free, fair, impartial, and transparent election, emphasizing that there was no alternative to such an election.
He added that they would try to convey this message.
In response to another question, the election commissioner mentioned that since there is no pressure or influence from the government this time, they are optimistic about a fair and smooth election.
He further said that no one will dare to undermine it.
Noting that there are both good and bad examples of elections before the present commission, he said this commission believes that bad examples will not be created this time.
This election will be one of the better elections in the history of Bangladesh, said Anwarul.
Responding to a question on the demand to rebuke the registration of Awami League placed before the chief adviser, the commissioner said it is not time for them to talk about this and they have to wait a little longer.
“We need more time. I do not want to say anything right now. Time will guide us,” he said.
About the re-demarcation of constituencies, he said the election commission is taking steps to amend the law regarding the constituency delimitation to reflect public aspirations.
He said the commission is now reviewing the applications it receives from different areas over the delimitation of constituencies.
