Executive magistrates’ activities not visible: EC Mahbub
Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukdar yesterday alleged that activities of executive magistrates deployed to monitor the violation of election code of conduct in Dhaka city polls were not visible.
He also reiterated his call to the commission to issue a specific circular stating that lawmakers and ministers will not be able to take part in any election-related activity during the upcoming Dhaka city corporations polls.
“The lack of faith in the commission cannot be addressed if it does not take immediate measures against violations of the electoral code of conduct,” Talukdar said in an unofficial note to the chief election commissioner and other commissioners yesterday.
He also said Dhaka North City Corporation’s advertisement on its success to control mosquitoes published in the media is nothing but election campaign for DNCC’s Awami League mayoral candidate Atiqul Islam.
Atiqul is the immediate past mayor who joined the election race by resigning form the position just ahead of collecting nomination forms.
“Necessary action can be taken against the officials who have taken part in such electioneering,” Talukdar added.
In an unofficial note on January 13, Talukdar has urged the commission to issue a specific circular stating that MPs and ministers will not be able to take part in any election-related activities.
The comments come in the wake of growing tensions between the ruling party and Election Commission, over MPs participation in the campaigns of Dhaka city polls slated for January 30.
Mahbub Talukdar in yesterday’s letter said a lawmaker is still engaged in campaign activities, according to a newspaper report.
Another lawmaker has already announced intention to address a function in Dhaka, to be held marking the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, he added.
“In this circumstance, I think it is necessary to publish a circular with specific guidelines,” he said in the letter.
US FOR CREDIBLE, PEACEFUL DHAKA CITY POLLS
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller yesterday said they hoped that the elections to Dhaka city corporations will be credible, peaceful and festive.
“The hope of United States is that the elections are peaceful, festive and credible. We also hope that the elections will be participatory,” Miller told reporters after a meeting with CEC KM Nurul Huda at the commission.
He said the US, along with other members of diplomatic corps, will have election observers to see the democratic process during the elections to the Dhaka North and South city corporations slated for February 1.
Miller also said he came to the commission to see the electronic voting machines (EVMs) and to learn more about the machines.
Voter turnout is more in Bangladesh than in the US, he remarked, calling upon voters to go out and vote for the candidate of their choice on election day.
“My message to all voters in Bangladesh and certainly in my country -- as we look at our election coming at the end of this year -- participate in the process, which is sometimes imperfect, noisy, messy but a vitally important process,” he added. election race by resigning form the position just ahead of collecting nomination forms. “Necessary action can be taken against the officials who have taken part in such electioneering,” Talukdar added.
In an unofficial note on January 13, Talukdar has urged the commission to issue a specific circular stating that MPs and ministers will not be able to take part in any election-related activities. In yesterday’s letter, he said a lawmaker is still engaged in campaign activities, according to a newspaper report.
“In this circumstance, I think it is necessary to publish a circular with specific guidelines,” he said.
US FOR PEACEFUL POLLS
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller yesterday said they hope that the elections to Dhaka city corporations will be credible, peaceful and festive.
“The hope of United States is that the elections are peaceful, festive and credible. We also hope that the elections will be participatory,” Miller told reporters after a meeting with CEC KM Nurul Huda at the commission.
He said the US, along with other members of diplomatic corps, will have election observers to see the democratic process during the elections on February 1.
Miller also said he came to the commission to see the electronic voting machines and to learn more about those.
Voter turnout is more in Bangladesh than in the US, the US envoy remarked, calling upon voters to go out and vote for the candidate of their choice on election day.
“My message to all voters in Bangladesh and certainly in my country -- as we look at our election coming at the end of this year -- participate in the process, which is sometimes imperfect, noisy, messy but a vitally important process,” he added.
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