Key challenge is to hold fair polls: CEC

-Takes oath as new CEC

-Vows to hold fair polls

-Commits to play professional role

-Says none can influence EC

-Denies involvement in politics

Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda today vowed that he would hold a free, fair and credible election upholding professional and constitutional responsibilities.

“We are committed to play our professional role and our main challenge is to hold election in a free and fair manner,” he said.

He was briefing media at Election Commission Secretariat in Dhaka this afternoon, hours after he took oath as the chief election commissioner. The briefing started around 5:00pm.

READ MORE: Huda-led EC set to make debut with local polls

Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda and four election commissioners sit at the Supreme Court Judges’ Lounge in Dhaka before taking oath on Wednesday, February 15, 2017. Photo: Tuhin Shubhra Adhikary

Four election commissioners -- Mahbub Talukder, Md Rafiqul Islam, Begum Kabita Khanam and Shahadat Hossain Chowdhury –- were also present at the press conference.

Seeking supports from the government, political parties, civil society members and media, Huda said “We want to gain trust of all parties by creating a congenial atmosphere.”

‘None can influence EC’

Responding to a query, he said none has scope to influence the Election Commission as it is a constitutional body. “We will not be influenced by anyone in any circumstance.”   

Huda said he does not belong to any political party and was not an activist of Janatar Mancha, a pro-Awami League platform that ensured topple of BNP government in 1996.

Earlier, Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha administered the oath of the new CEC and the four election commissioners at the Supreme Court Judges' Lounge in Dhaka around 3:00pm.

SC Registrar General Syed Aminul Islam conducted the oath-taking ceremony. Judges of the Appellate Division of the SC were present at the programme.