CEC: Only EC or ministers’ certifications cannot make polls credible

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Sunday said the national polls, scheduled for January 7, cannot be considered credible only with the certification of the Election Commission (EC) or any minister.

"In this case, observers and media will play an important role. Journalists will be allowed to freely enter polling stations and roam freely everywhere except the booths,” he said.

The CEC made the comments to the executive magistrates at the opening ceremony of a training program for the upcoming 12th national parliamentary election. 

The training program was organized at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in Dhaka.

Pointing out that a party boycotted the 2014 national election, which also witnessed violence, he said: "There were some controversies over the 2018 elections as well. Overall acceptability of the election was harmed. That is why the next election has to prove that the government can organize credible polls through the Election Commission. The government is obliged to assist.”

Expressing hope that the election will be free, fair, and neutral with the combined efforts and duties of all, the CEC said: “This election will be appreciated in the country and outside the world, and will be credible to the people. Elections must be free. For the sake of the country, for the sake of the country's economy, the international context should be kept in mind.”

Pointing out that various countries of the world have shown interest in Bangladesh elections, Kazi Habibul Awal said: "They have repeatedly met the government and the Election Commission and expressed their expectations. They hope the elections will be free and fair.”

On polling day, some people will try to carry out illegal activities, he said, mentioning that executive magistrates will have the power to punish them immediately.

The voter will not go to polling stations if there are incidents of ballot box snatching, occupying the centre, and using muscle power.

The CEC also believes that taking immediate action in these cases will build confidence among the voters.