Polls going to be held in different context: CEC

Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda today asked the returning officers to discharge their duties transparently as the 11th parliamentary election is going to be held in a different context. 

The context of the 11th parliamentary election is different from another one as for the first time a participatory election is going to be held under a political government, the CEC said this while talking to returning officers at a programme at the Election Commission Secretariat in Dhaka this afternoon.

WHY 11TH PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION IS DIFFERENT?

He said the previous elections have been held either under presidential government, army or under caretaker administration.

The chief of the constitutional body said if the upcoming general election is held successfully then all the elections will be held under a political government keeping the parliament intact in future which will establish a sustainable process of changing power through democratic process.

Referring to January 5, 2014, election, the CEC said the election was held under the then Awami League government but all political parties did not participate in the election.

After scrapping the provision of holding national election under caretaker government through the 15th amendment to the constitution, the January 5, 2014 election was held under a political government.

Different opposition political parties protested the decision of scrapping caretaker government system and raised a question whether the national election will be held in a free, fair and inclusive manner keeping the parliament intact.

Since then, BNP and its like-minded parties have been mounting pressure to the government for holding the national election under a caretaker government after dissolving the parliament.

BNP, even, stood aside from the January 5, 2014, general election as its demand was not met by the then government.

The 10th parliamentary election was held amid controversy as the BNP, the then main opposition in the parliament and most other political parties boycotted the polls terming it “farcical and one-sided”.

At least 153 lawmakers were elected uncontested in the parliamentary election.

The ruling Awami League, this time, did not accept the opposition parties’ demand for dissolving the parliament before the election, triggering a political firestorm in the country.

The opposition alliances are alleging that there will be influence in the election from different quarters including public administration, law enforcement agencies and returning officers if the polls is held under the ruling quarter.

DISCHARGE DUTY CAREFULLY

In this context, the CEC asked the returning officers to remain alert in discharge their duties during the election so that the election is not tainted anyhow due to their failures or mistakes of any kind.

“Be careful so that the election is not plunged into controversy due to your personal interest. We will have to present an acceptable election and it is your major responsibility,” he said.

He called upon the returning officers to show etiquette and manner to the candidates and politicians. He also asked them to hold meeting with assistant returning officers and district and upazila level officers to make the EC’s mission a success.

“The countrymen want an election amid festivity. Keep in mind that this festivity is not hampered due to your activities” he added.