Election Commissioner Md Alamgir has expressed his satisfaction with the electoral environment saying one or two isolated incidents will not have any effect on the January 7 general election.
The commissioner was speaking to reporters at Nirbachan Bhaban in Dhaka on Wednesday, after visiting 14 districts of Dhaka and Mymensingh divisions.
Alamgir also warned that law enforcement would take tough action if there was any kind of vandalism or incitement related to the election.
“We have had discussions with local law enforcement and administration; they have maintained order in every area. They assured us that the election would take place fairly and peacefully. Besides, I gave them necessary suggestions on behalf of the Election Commission.”
The election commissioner said both candidates and voters had been enthusiastic since the allotment of symbols for the polls.
Referring to the BNP’s call to the people to boycott the election, Alamgir said every party had the right to decide whether it would contest an election or not.
“If a party does not take part in the election, that is their political decision, their strategy. There is no problem with that. They can also urge voters not to polling stations [on election day]; that is not a problem either. But that call has to be made peacefully. There must not be any vandalism or provocation.”