‘Will step down if polls not free, fair’
Election Commissioner Md Alamgir yesterday guaranteed that the next general election will be free and fair, and if they are not able to hold such polls, they will step down from their positions.
Alamgir was talking to reporters at his EC office.
Asked about what happens if the commission has to compromise, he said, "You will not see us in this chair then. If we can't do what we have pledged to do through oath, why should we remain in this chair?"
He said the other election commissioners also have similar thoughts regarding the matter.
Alamgir said it is possible to hold a free and fair election under a partisan government if the commission wants to do so. It depends on how well the Election Commission performs its duties, he added.
"The previous Election Commission can say why they could not do so in the past. The people of the previous and current commission are different from each other," Alamgir said.
Asked whether they will take any initiative to bring an end to the ongoing pollical stalemate over joining the next general election, Alamgir said, "Has the constitution given the EC any such responsibilities?"
He said the EC has the power to take opinions from various stakeholders, civil society. Dialogue can be held with political parties, he added.
Alamgir said, "It is our responsibility that those who will participate in the elections can campaign freely; voters can come to the polling stations and vote for their preferred candidates."
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