The Election Commission (EC) is committed to creating a conducive environment in the upcoming national elections scheduled for January 7, 2024.
The EC will provide security so that all voters can come to the polling centres smoothly to cast their votes without any hassle and fear.
“The 12th national parliamentary elections will be held in a fair, free, neutral, and festive atmosphere. We will create a conducive environment and provide security so that all voters can come to the polling centres and cast their votes for whomever they want,” said Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Md Ahsan Habib Khan.
Another election commissioner Begum Rashida Sultana said that the Election Commission has been doing everything needed to hold a free, fair and neutral election.
Md Ahsan Habib Khan and Begum Rashida Sultana made the statements while talking to journalists following two separate events in Khulna and Natore on Thursday (December 21, 2023).
They said that the forthcoming parliamentary election will be competitive, free and fair and there is no doubt about it.
Ahsan Habib Khan attended a views-exchange meeting at the District Shilpakala Academy Auditorium in Khulna on the election code of conduct and other issues ahead of the polls.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the election commissioner said that equal opportunities will be ensured for all candidates in the elections. “The purpose of the views-exchange meeting was to assure the candidates participating in the election with security and equal opportunities during the election,” he said.
The EC authorities and law enforcers have assured the candidates in front of everyone that all candidates will be treated equally and that there will be no partiality, he said.
Additional Divisional Commissioner (general) of Khulna, Saroj Kumar Nath presided over the meeting. Commissioner of Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) Md Mozammel Haque, Khulna range DIG Md Moinul Haque, senior officials of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG), returning officers of Khulna, Satkhira, and Bagerhat districts, assistant returning officers, law enforcement agencies, election-related officials, and candidates were present at the meeting.
On the other hand, Begum Rashida Sultana attended a meeting with candidates, election officers and law enforcers at the conference room of Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Natore.
After the meeting, she told journalists that the Election Commission has been doing everything needed to hold a free, fair and neutral election. “Directives were given to the election officials concerned so that expectations of the people get fulfilled and they can cast their votes without any hindrance,” she added.
Seeking cooperation from all to hold a fair election, the election commissioner said that provision of punishment was kept if voters are threatened. The provision will be exercised in the upcoming national elections properly, she added.
Chaired by Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Natore and also returning officer Abu Naser Bhuiyan, candidates of Natore’s four constituencies, Deputy Inspector General of Rajshahi Range Anisur Rahman, Additional Divisional Commissioner Jasim Uddin and regional election officer Delowar Hossain, among others, were present at the meeting.
