Election on time at any cost, schedule to be announced soon: CEC after meeting president
President Md Sahabuddin said that to continue the development of Bangladesh, the country's democratic trend must be continued
The national elections must be held in the stipulated time at any cost, said the Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal following a meeting with President Mohammad Shahabuddin.
"We have an obligation to hold elections within the specified time. We will announce the schedule very soon," the CEC told reporters following the meeting at Bangabhaban at 11:55am this morning (9 November).
During the meeting between EC officials and the president, the chief election commissioner informed the president of the overall preparations for the upcoming 12th National elections.
He said the Election Commission has already held a dialogue with political parties for the purpose of conducting free and fair elections. Necessary instructions have been given to the executive department for the smooth completion of the election.
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President Md Sahabuddin hoped that the Election Commission will play a responsible role with courage and sincerity to make the next general election fair by following the constitutional rules and norms.
However, pointing out that it is not possible for the Election Commission alone to conduct a fair election, the president said that for a free and fair election, the active cooperation of the people including the executive department is required. Political parties should come forward for this purpose.
President Md Sahabuddin said elections are the most important means of reflecting people's opinions in the democratic process. And people elect their representatives through elections with the expectation that the wishes of the people will be fulfilled through those representatives, he added.
Stating that fair and participatory elections strengthen democracy, he also said democracy and development go hand in hand.
President Md Sahabuddin said that to continue the development of Bangladesh, the country's democratic trend must be continued.
He urged the commission to play its role responsibly, with courage and sincerity and following constitutional rules and regulations.
The election commissioners and secretaries of the president were present at this time.
Amid the consecutive blockades called by opposition parties, the political stalemate shows no signs of ending, as neither the ruling Awami League nor the opposition BNP are softening their positions before the national elections, expected to be held between 6 and 9 January.
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi claimed on Wednesday that one of their leaders was killed and 515 others were arrested in the last 24 hours, from Tuesday afternoon till Wednesday afternoon.
He further stated that 12 people, including a journalist, have been killed across the country since 28 October, and 9,466 activists have been arrested.
The Awami League is ignoring the international community, human rights organisations, and even the United Nations to stay in power, he added.
Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami said that 75 of their activists had been arrested in the last 24 hours. They said that a total of 1,872 Jamaat leaders and activists had been detained nationwide since October 28, and that three had been killed.
