Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Saturday has said that the next general election will surely be free, fair and neutral and the Election Commission (EC) is determined to ensure that.
"It is possible to hold a free and fair election with the support we have received from the government, and the EC is determined to hold the 12th national election in a free, fair and neutral manner,” the CEC said.
Kazi Habibul made the remarks while exchanging views with the candidates of six Sylhet constituencies at Circuit House of the district on Saturday.
He said: “A main opposition political party in the country is rejecting the election and calling on people to boycott it. This is not a big challenge.”
The CEC further said: “In a democratic nation, democratic rights are not only limited to speaking in favour of the election but criticisms are also allowed. However, obstructing the election is not allowed. If there are attempts to disrupt the election, we will face a challenge that we must address.”
“Our law enforcement and intelligence agencies have been directed to assess whether the call for an election boycott is conducted peacefully and remains limited to that. If it is so, then we face no crisis. However, if their position changes and they act to disrupt the election or stop voters from reaching polling stations, then it becomes a significant challenge. We are prepared to tackle this situation,” he added.
The CEC also said that if the voters can cast their votes by going to the polling centres with confidence, then the election will be free, fair and neutral and it is not a domestic responsibility for us, it is an international obligation.
Chaired by Sylhet Divisional Commissioner Abu Ahmed Siddique, EC Secretary Md Jahangir Alam also spoke as special guest at the event where Sylhet Deputy Commissioner Sheikh Russell Ahmed was present.
Kazi Habibul said the EC has been sincerely working so that all candidates can get equal facilities in the election field, while election activities have been moving forward undoubtedly with the cooperation of the government and sincerity of the local administration.