Election Commissioner Anisur Rahman has said that polls will be deemed participatory if the general public cast their votes.
He said: “A significant party (BNP) has withdrawn from the race. Rescheduling the election is an option if they would like to take part in the polls.”
The election commissioner made the comments in a meeting with Moulvibazar and Sunamganj returning officers, assistant returning officers, and law enforces in the Sylhet district administration conference room on the occasion of upcoming elections on Friday.
Election Commissioner Anisur Rahman said as far as the spread of rumors and misleading information during the elections goes, there are some unregistered ones that are being spread online. “We are in favour of unfettered information access. In order to ensure that mobile networks continue to function on election day, the government has been issued directives.”
Moulvibazar District Commissioner Dr Urmi Binte Salam, Habiganj District Commissioner Devi Chand, Moulvibazar Police Superintendent Md Manjur Rahman, and Habiganj Police Superintendent SM Murad Ali presided over the Sylhet Division Additional Divisional Commissioner (General) Debjit Singh.
The Election Commission (EC) wants to take strict measures to combat political violence that may occur during the 12th national election slated for January 7.
EC officials gave the opinion with a view to holding the election in an orderly and peaceful manner during meetings with law enforcement agencies and heads of two intelligence units.
Sources said the EC will rely on the tactics of the law enforcement agencies instead of involving themselves. It will not take responsibility for administrative actions taken against any registered political party responsible for violence.
The EC on Thursday deployed a total of 233 platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel across the country to maintain law and order. The number may increase considering the situation on the ground.
