Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal on Friday asked all the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Superintendents of Police (SPs) to apply power, if necessary, to hold the upcoming Jatiya Sangsad (JS) election free and fair.
The CEC also said that the commission wants to ensure voting rights of every citizen.
The CEC came up with the remarks while inaugurating a two-day training programme in the capital's Electoral Training Institute.
Alongside all the DCs and SPs, the programme was also attended by all the divisional commissioners and regional election officers.
At the programme, the CEC urged the officials to perform their duties sincerely to make the elections free, fair and peaceful.
"We want to see voters being able to vote without any disruption. If any untoward incident takes place during the polls, it will question our neutrality," said CEC Kazi Habibul Awal.
He mentioned that elections are the lifeblood of democracy.
"The whole nation is talking about elections now. People from abroad are also interested in our national polls. Many countries and foreign organisations will send election observers," he added.
Mentioning the importance of the DCs, SPs and other officials in the administrations at the divisional and district levels, the CEC said, "You have to realise the importance of this election. If you need to exercise power while performing election duties, do that.”
“But first you have to understand the importance of election, why it is held, why the public will vote and other aspects of it from a sense of responsibility, not with power," he said.
"The President also wants a fair election. I cannot do that, you can," CEC Kazi Habibul Awal told the participants of the programme.
“The EC has to work with the help of the divisional commissioner, DCs and SPs. So, we hope, the EC would get your cooperation like in the past”, said the CEC and continued saying, “The EC wants you to do everything for holding the elections in fair and a disciplined manner.”
Urging the DCs and SPs to work together through coordination, the CEC said, “If we understand what democracy is, and what republic is, we have to keep them alive. As a nation, we will be a failure, if we do not.”
He further said, not only the entire nation, the entire world is also watching all the activities related to the JS polls. Many countries and international organisations are willing to send observers to monitor the elections in Bangladesh.
“If the elections are marked by questions, we all will be responsible for that”, the CEC said.
Alongside four election commissioners and election training institute director general, DCs and SPs of 32 districts took part on the first day of the two-day long training programme on Friday. On the second day, DCs and SPs of 32 other districts will participate today (Saturday).
Earlier on Thursday, a delegation of the EC led by CEC Kazi Habibul Awal held a meeting with President Mohammad Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban, where the commission informed about its preparations for holding the upcoming JS polls.
Emerging out of the meeting with the President, the CEC said, "We have an obligation to hold elections within the specified time. We will announce the schedule very soon."
Election Commission Secretary Md Jahangir Alam on Wednesday (8 November) said the country's environment is favourable for announcing the schedule for the 12th parliamentary election.
The national elections are expected to be held in the first week of January, 2024.
