Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal has said the media should not be obstructed from performing their duties during the upcoming election.
"Journalists will monitor all aspects of the election process from the beginning of voting and report the truth. If everything inside the polling centres is fine, they should say so, and if not, they should report that as well,” the CEC told journalists on Tuesday afternoon after a meeting with members of law enforcement agencies, returning officers and other officials concerned from the eight districts of the Rangpur Division.
There is no need for any cover-ups, he said, before emphasizing the need to establish awareness and transparency.
“The pictures that the media will take and the statements that will be made will be broadcast all over the country. Once broadcast, the people of the country will see whether voters have entered polling centres safely to cast their votes. If they say so, then the voting process becomes acceptable.”
“If they report that people were unable to enter the polling centres safely due to significant obstacles, then the integrity of the vote is compromised,” Kazi Habibul Awal said.
“That is why we must ensure that the environment inside any polling centre is conducive to voting in every way.”
The CEC said there must not be any use of force in any way, and there should not be any intimidation at polling centres.
"The election must be free, fair and impartial at any cost. Regarding the upcoming polls, our message has been conveyed to everyone concerned, including law enforcement agencies: it must be ensured that voters are not obstructed from casting their votes and can enter polling centres to vote for their preferred candidates," he added.
Earlier in the day, at the Rangpur Circuit House conference room, the CEC met with 36 candidates from six constituencies of Rangpur, seeking their cooperation to ensure a fair and impartial election.
He also told them that the election would not be free and fair without their cooperation.