The law enforcement agencies have the real power during elections and it is imperative the force responds to the Election Commission in due time, says Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal.
The CEC came up with the statement during a dialogue with Bangladesh Muslim League at the Election Commission headquarters in Dhaka on Monday.
He said: “I have command of the power that has been vested in me. But the actual power is in the hands of law enforcement agencies like police, BGB and army.”
We need to make sure the commands made are met with a positive response for the sake of a fair election, he added.
He also hoped that the commission will get assistance from the government in light of the law and they will also have some authority over the government.
“However, if the government does not assist us, the election will be questionable,” he added.
According to the CEC, conducting an election is not an easy task.
“But it should be taken as a challenge. If we all have unity, sincerity and honesty in faith, then we can accomplish any difficult task.”