The Ministry of Home Affairs will not have any role during the national elections, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal has said.
"We have told them (EMF delegation) that the Election Commission will play the major role during polls. All elections will be under the supervision of the Election Commission,” he after a meeting with a delegation of the Election Monitoring Forum (EMF) at the Secretariat on Sunday.
He added: "Foreign observers wanted how our preparations were going. Whether our police, other forces, and all other agencies are ready for the polls.”
The home minister added as some parties are boycotting the elections and are constantly involved in various types of political activities, the EMF wanted to know if the government will be able to hold the polls. “We have provided them with details regarding the matter.”
Asaduzzaman Khan said the EMF also wanted to know if Bangladesh had enough police force for the election time. “We have stated that we have an auxiliary disciplined force along with our police force, that guided elections in the past. Along with the police force, Border Guard Bangladesh, and Bangladesh Coast Guard are all ready. We are ready to ensure that the elections are peaceful, free and free of violence.”
Earlier in the day, EMF said it believes that the Election Commission will be able to conduct fair polls under the ruling party government.
US citizen Terry L Islay, a member of the EMF delegation, made the comment after a meeting with the Election Commission on Sunday.
The visiting foreign delegation is set to meet with several ministers.