Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Sunday said the commission is working to suppress irregularities and showing muscle power in the upcoming Barisal City Corporation (BCC) Elections.
The CEC emphasized that if any candidate or worker found engaging in dishonest behaviour or violating the rules would face severe consequences.
He urged citizens to remain vigilant and prevent any irregularities by reporting them to the presiding officer.
CEC Awal was speaking as the chief guest at an exchange of views meeting with the candidates of the BCC polls at Barisal Shilpakala Academy.
The meeting, held until late night, was attended by 158 councillor candidates, 7 mayoral candidates, journalists, and officials.
During the gathering, candidates expressed various concerns and complaints, while also expressing hopes for a fair election.
Addressing the candidates, CEC Awal stated that if anyone found guilty of obstructing the election process or engaging in misconduct, the commission would take legal action against the individuals responsible for their actions.
Dhaka TribuneWhile Awami League candidate Abul Khair Abdullah praised the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) system, Jatiya Party mayoral candidate Iqbal Hossain Tapos voiced his opposition to it.
Tapos demanded administrative reshuffling and the deployment of the army.
Similar concerns and complaints were echoed by Mufti Faizul Karim, the mayoral candidate of the Islamic Movement Bangladesh. He also questioned whether the Election Commission would resign if the elections were not conducted properly.
Responding to the mayoral candidate's question, CEC said: “Before announcing the schedule, if you declare that you would not participate in polls using EVMs, then there was something that we could have done. But if you say this only a few days before the election, then it is not possible to attach printed ballots for voting.”
Dhaka TribuneThe CEC said: "The number of voters in Gazipur is 1.1 million, there were uneducated garment workers. None of them studied Science, Physics, Chemistry but still voted through the EVM system. Even the defeated candidate of Gazipur did not complain about the election and even the journalists could not show any significant irregularities.
"EVMs are fully isolated and you have to open the ballot with your fingerprint. If your finger print does not match then the digital ballot will not be opened, and if it matches it will be opened automatically," he added.
"Barisal City Corporation is one third of Gazipur. All 126 centres will have CCTV cameras at the centres, not only Barisal but also all other city corporation elections will have CCTV cameras as well," he also added.
The CEC said: "There may be questions about our capacity, but you should not doubt our goodwill and sincerity."
He said: "I am not saying that elections will be better only by the efforts of us or law enforcers, but your efforts should also be the same with us. It has to be a coordinated effort."
Dhaka TribuneHe told the candidates that it is not necessary to make a complaint against someone, they have to provide evidence in support of their complaint.
Barisal Divisional Commissioner Amin Ul Ahsan presided over the meeting.
Election Commissioner Brigadier General Ahsan Habib Khan (Retd), Secretary of Election Commission Secretariat Jahangir Alam, Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) Project Director Colonel Syed Rakibul Hasan were special guests of the meeting.
Deputy Commissioner of Barisal along with the high ranking officials of law and order, district and divisional administration officer of Barisal metropolis and district were present in the program.
