Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Md Ahsan Habib Khan said that the tendency to win elections by any means should be avoided rather one must have the tendency to accept defeat.
He said this in a written response given on the occasion of National Voters' Day 2023 on Wednesday.
Ahsan Habib Khan said: “It is not appropriate that those who will be defeated will face criticism. In order to develop a quality culture of elections, the cooperation of all including voters, parties, stakeholders are needed.”
Demanding that the Election Commission take utmost action to ensure a fearless election and a smooth environment, he said that in the first year of his term, in all the elections held so far, measures have been taken where there have been complaints of obstruction and irregularities.
Claiming that the EVM has expanded the way for voters to vote smoothly, he said that so far more than 500 elections have been held under the current EC, most of which used EVMs. No reliable complaint has come in these polls and no aggrieved person has approached the court.
He also said: “We have been working throughout the year to motivate voters. The civil right of every voter is his right to vote. We have taken maximum measures to protect this right and will continue to do so.”
He commented that the culture of boycotting the election due to any imaginary fear is also not desired.
Encouraging every party to take part in the election, the EC said: “We want all the elections including the 12th Parliament elections to be free, fair, peaceful and participatory.”
Anticipating a competitive vote, he said that chaos and violence must be avoided. The Election Commission is also in a strict position to prevent irregularities.
