CEC: Snap polls a government call

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda on Wednesday said the arrangement of a snap election depends on the government’s decision. "It is the government who decides on whether a snap election should be held. We'll find 90 days to complete the election if necessary. If the government decides it, we'll be able to do so," he told reporters when asked if the Election Commission was preparing for the arrangement of snap polls. Earlier, the CEC held a meeting with European Union (EU) Ambassador to Bangladesh Rensje Teerink in the city's Nirbachan Bhaban from 4pm to 4:30pm. After the meeting, CEC Nurul Huda said: "The EU has full trust in us. We've also assured that an election-friendly environment will prevail. We're determined to hold the election in a fair manner." He added that the EU ambassador had wanted to know if electronic voting machines (EVMs) would be used in the parliamentary elections. "I told the EU ambassador that it is not possible and we're not prepared to do so. Some political parties opposed it (use of EVMs), and we will not invite any controversy," he said. At the meeting, the EU assured that it will provide support to the Election Commission, the CEC said.