The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Kazi Habibul Awal, emphatically stated today that any form of violence during elections is unacceptable, as it induces panic among the populace. Speaking at the inauguration of a training program for judicial magistrates at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city, the CEC underscored the importance of resisting violent activities during polls. A total of 650 judicial magistrates participated in the training session in preparation for the upcoming 12th Parliament Election scheduled for January 7.
The CEC acknowledged the international dimension of the impending election and emphasized the necessity of ensuring a free and fair electoral process. While acknowledging the possibility of minor incidents of violence during polls, he cautioned that any activities exceeding acceptable limits must be actively resisted. With 43,000 polling centers set for voting, the Election Commission (EC) bears a significant responsibility, and the CEC highlighted the constitutional provision allowing the EC to receive manpower as required.
Addressing the boycott by a political faction and their activities against the polls, the CEC warned that if violent actions or attempts to obstruct voters arise, the EC will take necessary steps. The CEC reiterated that the EC’s primary role is to organize elections for selecting parliament members, emphasizing the potential risks of an undemocratic government if elections are not held.
Responding to the notion of election deferment, the CEC clarified that the EC lacks the authority to postpone the election. The event was presided over by EC Secretary Md Jahangir Alam, with the presence of Election Commissioners Brigadier General (retired) Md Ahsan Habib Khan, Begum Rasheda Sultana, and Law and Justice Division Secretary of the Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry Md Golam Sarwar, among others.
