Hindustan Surkhiyan Desk: The 11th parliamentary election will be held on December 23, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda announced while addressing the nation this evening.
He announced the schedule for the 11th parliamentary polls in his televised speech amid strong opposition from Jatiya Oikyafront, comprising the BNP and several other parties.
The CEC said the aspirants will have to submit their nomination papers by November 19.
The nomination papers will be scrutinised on November 22, he said adding that the last date for withdrawing candidature is November 29.
Call to all political parties to take part in polls
In his speech, Huda called upon all political parties to take part in the national election to ensure the continuation of democratic trend and development.
He said there is a constitutional obligation to finish the 11th parliamentary election by January 28, 2019.
What does he say about the preparations?
The necessary tasks including purchasing and printing of election materials have already been completed and the president has been informed of the progress of the electoral activities, the CEC said.
The primary process of appointing around seven lakh officials has already been finished to conduct the election smoothly, he said.
What does he say about polls security?
Executive and judicial magistrates will be appointed in each electoral area while over six lakhs law enforcers from police, Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB), Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), Coast Guard, Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP) will be deployed across the country ahead of the election, he said.
Armed forces will be deployed to extend all-out support to the civil administration to keep the polls-time law and order situation under control, he said. Special attention will be given to their skills, transparency and dedication, the CEC said.
He also said the law enforcers would ensure overall security of the vote centres, voters, candidates and their agents and election officials.
The election officials would remain on rigid stance in discharging their duties transparently. At the same time, executive and judicial magistrates would ensure appropriate enforcement of law during the election, he hoped.
Legal action for negligence in polls duty
The chief election commissioner also warned of taking stern action against the lawmen who will fail to uphold their duties.
“The commission will take legal action if the election is tainted by anyone of the law enforcers or anyone of them fails to uphold their duties accordingly,” he said.
He also urged the law enforcers to extend their helping hands so that the respectful people can also cast their votes in a free and fair manner.
What does the CEC say about the present situation?
An election-friendly atmosphere has already been created across the country, Huda claimed in his address to the nation.
He said the country’s political parties have started their preparation while the civil society members are already engaged in passing comments regarding the election.
Apart from these, the country’s major political parties have held talks with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to hold the election in a free, fair and inclusive manner, the CEC said.
Besides, several local and foreign organisations have expressed their willingness to take part in the election process as observers, he said.
Comply with electoral code
Huda urged all the candidates and the polling officials to comply with the electoral code of conduct so that voters can exercise their franchise in a free and fair manner.
“We would like to request and hope that all the candidates and their followers would comply with the electoral code of conduct so that the voters can cast their votes in favour of their chosen candidates in a free and fair manner,” he said.
He also asked all polling agents not to leave polling centres until they get the result sheets from their respective polling centres.
The CEC called upon the media men to publish objective news over the election while the election observers have been asked to oversee the election upholding the electoral code of conduct.
Resolve disagreements, fair polls possible
He also requested the political parties to resolve disagreements, if there is any, politically and show respect at each other upholding political norms and manner.
“I again urge the country’s all political parties to join the election,” the CEC said.
“I am expecting of holding of a competitive election as I believe that irregularities can be resisted through a competitive and vibrant election,” he added.
Huda also requested the political parties to be careful so that their competition does not turn into a politics of vengeance.
The overall situation will be kept under the uninterrupted watch and care of the election commission secretariat. And thus, a free and fair election is possible to be held, the CEC said.
Level playing field for all
He said there will be a strong instruction to the members of law enforcement agencies so that the voters, political leaders and activists, candidates and their supporters and agents are not harassed or implicated with case without any reason.
The people irrespective of political affiliation and religious beliefs that they would be able to cast their votes and be able to stay safe at their residence, he expressed his hope.
All candidates and political parties will be given equal space to carry out their election campaigns and a level playing field would be ensured for all, he said.
And the commission would issue a circular soon in this regard, the CEC said in his speech.
