Politics
Strict action if polling officials are found biased: EC.

Strict action if polling officials are found biased: EC

Politics

DB Correspondent: Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Shahadat Hossain Chowdhury has said the commission will take legal action against polling officials if they are found involved in partiality and irregularities.

He made the comment while inaugurating a training program held at the Agargaon Election Training Institute (ETI) in Dhaka on Saturday.

The training has been organized to train personnel in the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), EMS and software such as CIMS and RMS to prepare them for the upcoming 11th general election.

Shahadat further said: “It is not possible to hold a 100% fair election anywhere in this world, so it is also not possible in Bangladesh.

“However, as citizens of this country, we believe that that a fair election is essential for the future of Bangladesh.

On Friday, Election Commissioner Kabita khanam made a similar statement saying it is not possible to hold 100% fair election.

“A government can only be formed through fair polls. And it is the only way to take the country forward. The Election Commission does not want a questionable election,” he added.

Directing trainees to maintain neutrality during the impending election, the election commissioner said: “We treat the field personnel as an essential organ of the commission, and we will take legal action against anyone found involved in partiality and irregularities.”

He continued: “The parliamentary election is very important this time, because a lot of previously unregistered parties are planning to participate as part of different alliances. The next election will be competitive.

“The commission is happy because all parties are participating in the election. Election Commission will make a serious effort to ensure free and fair polls.”

When is the election?

On Monday, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda announced a fresh schedule for the parliamentary election.

The commission said the polls will now be held on December 30 instead of December 23.

According to the new schedule, the deadline for submitting nomination papers is November 28 instead of November 19.