Election Commissioner Md Anisur Rahman on Wednesday said it does not matter what percentage of voters exercise their franchise in the national election.
“It is not written in the Constitution how many votes should be cast. But if the elections are not held on time, a vacuum will be created,” he told reporters at the Comilla Circuit House.
Earlier, he exchanged views with three deputy commissioners, returning officers and police superintendents of Comilla, Chandpur and Brahmanbaria districts.
He said: “Who participated in the election and who did not is not our concern. It is not our responsibility to elect anyone. We have sent a letter. With 42 registered parties, including the BNP expressing interest in participating, negotiations or collusions behind the scenes could potentially delay the schedule.”
Anisur added: "One of our election commissioners also said that there is an opportunity in the constitution to postpone the schedule if the big political party (BNP) comes to the election."
Addressing the viral speech of the DC of Jamalpur regarding the transfer of administration officials, he said: "If a reshuffle in the administration is necessary after the elections, it will be carried out."
38 countries, groups invited to observe polls
The EC has invited representatives from 38 countries and organizations to observe the upcoming election.
EC Additional Secretary Ashok Kumar Debnath on Wednesday said formal invitations have been extended to all countries and organizations that expressed their interest in election monitoring following the announcement of the election schedule.
The countries are India, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Australia, Canada, France, Georgia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Russia, South Korea, Egypt, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, Senegal, Thailand, Azerbaijan, Malaysia, Mauritius, Tunisia, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, China, Japan and Singapore.
Collection of nomination forms with procession
Election Commissioner Md Alamgir Wednesday said the culture of buying the nomination forms with a large procession filled with supporters does not violate the electoral code of conduct.
Pointing out that the executive magistrate will be deployed on November 28, the commissioner said: "It does not matter what political activities they do inside the party office – it will not fall under the electoral code of conduct. The returning officers will check if the code of conduct is being violated at any place. They cannot do any campaign by showdowns with cars or motorcycles in the area. The magistrates will take action if the leaders and activists of the political parties do not follow the code of conduct.”
Rajshahi MP warned
The EC Wednesday issued a note of warning to Omor Faruk Chowdhury, the lawmaker from Rajshahi-1 constituency, for violating code of conduct.
A letter signed by EC Deputy Secretary Md Atiar Rahman was sent to the returning officer concerned Wednesday. It says the MP conducted a public rally in the name of exchanging views with the party leaders and activists.
