Election Commissioner Md Shah Newaz on Monday said there was no chance of assuming or staying in office without elections in the country.
“There is no opportunity of coming to or staying in state power without the general elections. All political parties should assist a free and fair election process. If they do not come forward, maintaining and applying law during the polls will be difficult,” he told reporters at the EC Secretariat.
About holding the next general elections between October 25 and January 24, Shah Newaz said the EC could not work beyond the constitution.
He said to prepare the electoral code of conduct, the EC had examined the codes in other democratic countries.
“We are trying to ensure a level playing field, regardless of the type of polls-time government,” he said.
He expressed hope that the two political alliances would reach a consensus in the end and the polls would be held in a free and fair environment.
