Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Monday (Nov 27) expressed his firm determination to hold a free, fair and neutral national election slated for Jan 7 next year. "We must have to hold a fair and credible election for protecting the economy and future of the country", he said. The CEC said this while addressing the first phase of a daylong training of the divisional officials at the Election Commission in Dhaka as the chief guest, local media reported.
The CEC said: "EC is working to stop the use of muscle power along with black money and irregularities".
Regarding the training programme, Habibul Awal said it is necessary to impart intensive training on the electoral rules and regulations as the members of the electoral investigative committee can perform their duties accurately.
The CEC, however, told the function that it will impossible for the Election Commission alone to hold free fair elections without the help of the government and also the sincerity, bravery and integrity of the officials who are assigned for rendering assistance for holding elections.
He said "We must be ensured that the voters can come to the center and return to home after hassle-free voting, adding "None of the allegations raised by any candidates would be taken into account if the polling agents would not present at the polls centers"
The EC wants uncontroversial result of the polls, said the CEC. "We have no alternative to holding a free and fair election for the sake of the country's democracy and the economy as well", he added.
As per the schedule for the 12th Jatiyo Sangsad election, the deadline for nomination form submission is Nov 30 and nomination forms will be scrutinized on Dec 1-4.
Timeframe for appealing to the EC against returning officers and settlement of appeals is on Dec 5-15 and last date for withdrawal of candidacy is Dec 17.
Returning officers will allocate election symbols on Dec 18 while election campaign can be carried out till 8 a.m. on Jan 5.
Voting will be held from Jan 7.
