Election Commissioner Md Alamgir on Thursday asserted that a fair election is possible under the current government.
“We guarantee that the election will be fair”, said while talking to reporters in his office at Nirbachan Bhaban on Thursday.
"I will not compromise for the sake of fair elections; if necessary I will withdraw from the responsibility…As long as we are in this office, we will work for fair elections.”
Alamgir also hinted at sitting with parties that did not respond to the commission's earlier call for dialogues, including the BNP.
He also said that political problems should be solved politically. "The Election Commission has nothing to do here. It is a political problem. Political problems must be solved politically. There is nothing we can do about it. The constitution also does not give us that responsibility.”
Alamgir said that the Election Commission's responsibility is to hold polls properly, ensuring a level-playing field even before the election schedule is announced.
The commission has to make sure that those who participate in the election can carry out campaigns freely so that the voters can come to polling stations and vote for the candidate of their choice, the counting of votes is done properly and the results of the election are properly reflected, he added.
“We are 100% committed to fulfilling that responsibility. We will do that. All we can say is that whatever type of government there is, the current commission will conduct free and fair elections,” said the election commissioner.
In response to a question, he said only the opposition can answer why it does not have confidence in the commission. But after observing the EC's activities for a year, can they say that the commission has broken neutrality, or if two persons have been treated differently?”
He said: "In all the countries of the world, elections are held under party governments. It depends on how well the Election Commission performs its duties. If we fulfil our duties properly – and that is our desire – surely a fair election is possible.”
Although there is no initiative from the commission to settle the disagreements between parties, Md Alamgir said that there will be another round of meetings with the parties before the election.