Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Habibur Rahman emphasized on Monday that it is the constitutional duty of every citizen and public representative to resist those attempting to disrupt the electoral process.
He said: “While voting is a democratic right, abstaining from voting is also a democratic right. But obstructing electoral process is not a democratic right. It is the constitutional responsibility of every citizen and public representative to resist those who attempts to prevent voting.”
The DMP commissioner said these things in response to a question from the journalists at the end of the discussion meeting on law and order with the councillors of the two city corporations of Dhaka on Monday.
In response to the question whether he has received any information about any risk or sabotage from the councillors, Habibur Rahman said: "There is no specific risk, no sabotage on the occasion of the election. The councillors said that people in their area are looking forward to vote, everyone will cast their vote spontaneously.”
He continued: “There are 129 wards under two city corporations in Dhaka metropolitan area. There are 172 councillors. I invited the councillors today. They have informed us about the areas where there are some security concerns. The councillors will work together with the police to prevent any sabotage or arson, criminal activities of some political parties.”
The DMP Commissioner also said that there has been an exchange of views with the councillors so that no one can do activities to discourage voting and obstruct voting in the elections.
He said: "They also wanted to take action against miscreants unitedly and we are determined to ensure that everyone can come to the polling station in the coming days."
