Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Monday said the present Election Commission (EC) is not against the journalists in any way while assuring all kinds of cooperation to the newsmen in gathering information during the 12th parliamentary election.
He said this while exchanging views with the journalists about the formulation of the draft policy for journalists at the Nirbachon Bhaban.
In the conference room of the Nirbachon Bhaban in the morning, the journalists working in the election commission beat highlighted the various obstacles in gathering news in the various elections, especially disruption and slow speed in the network.
Kazi Habibul Awal commented that any incident like disruption or slow speed in the mobile networks or internet service during polls raises doubts in the public mind.
“In that case, the government should figure out whether it is used as a tactic or not,” he said.
Stating that EC is not aware of who creates the disruption in the network, the CEC said: “We have to be vigilant about such activities so that it does not create any suspicion among the public.”
CEC Kazi Habibul Awal assured the journalists that the role of the media is very important.
“If transparency is established through the media, then the EC will also have an increased chance of staying above controversy,” he said.
“Today's media is not like the media we had 50 years ago. Now we have various channels and online media, through which, news is known instantly. Media is portraying the position of the Election Commission very positively,” said the CEC.
“Our position is never against the media. However, in some cases, the freedom of media and its overall activities need to be regulated for people's sake,” said Kazi Habibul Awal.
“We will help you fulfill your responsibilities. The media should be more liberal and cover the election process objectively and responsibly. If transparency can be established, then the next election can be more acceptable to the countrymen and people,” he added.