Swarnomoyee Mostafa Oishy:
Chief election commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal said ministers and lawmakers won’t be able to exert influence in the upazila polls.
The EC will centrally monitor whether any ministers and lawmakers interfere in the election and immediate action will be taken, if anyone is found involved in interfering in the election.
The CEC said this at a press briefing at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city’s Agargaon yesterday morning.Kazi Habibul Awal claimed that the EC succeeded in dissuading the ministers from interfering in the election. Many are still staying in their constituencies. But all concerned have been asked so that none can exert any influence in the election.
“We are trying to ensure that the vote is not affected. We have restrained MP and Ministers from influencing their votes. Elections will be free and fair. Action will be taken if anyone wants to influence the election,” he said.
The first phase of the sixth upazila election will be held in 140 upazilas of the country today (Wednesday/May 8).
The CEC said the upazila election is being competitive as four candidates on average are contesting in each upazila.
The election commission is cautious to ensure that the enthusiasm centering the election does not turn into violence, he said adding that, the EC is making every effort to ensure that the election is not affected. Some measures have already been taken due to the spread of influence. One’s candidature has also been canceled.
He further said that the EC does not need to know who will contest from which party in the election. Our job is to conduct elections.
Kazi Habibul Awal also said that if there is a candidate in the election, he will be declared the winner of the election. If someone has won like this it is according to the law.
EC secretary Md Jahangir Alam and additional secretary Ashok Kumar Debnath were also present at the briefing.