CEC vows credible local govt election

“We want to conduct the local government election at an acceptable standard, just as we did the national election. We have sought the police’s support, and the IGP has assured me that they will work appropriately to ensure a good and acceptable election,” he said.

The CEC was speaking to journalists after inaugurating a training course on enhancing police skills and capabilities for professional performance during election duties at the Police Auditorium in Rajarbagh today.

He said ensuring free and fair elections is the constitutional and legal responsibility of the EC, while assisting the commission in conducting elections is also the constitutional responsibility of the police and administration.

“We will provide the law enforcement agencies with 100 percent lawful and appropriate instructions from the Election Commission,” Nasir Uddin said.

Highlighting the use of technology in the upcoming polls, he said the EC would deploy CCTV cameras, body-worn cameras and other technological measures to monitor the electoral situation in real time.

“If any problem occurs anywhere, we will be able to take immediate action through real-time digital monitoring,” he said.

Regarding the timeframe for the local government elections, the CEC said elections across the country had previously taken around 10 months to one year to complete. 

The commission will seek to shorten the timeframe as much as possible, he said, adding that the election schedule would be announced at an appropriate time very soon after completing preparations.

The CEC said the 13th parliamentary election had helped restore much of the public confidence that had been lost in the Election Commission, civil administration, police and other law enforcement agencies.

“We have been able to restore much of the public trust through the 13th national election. We want to maintain that confidence by holding the local government election in the same spirit,” he said.

He also said the upcoming local government elections would not be held on a party basis. 

After the election schedule is announced, only those eligible under the existing law will be able to submit nomination papers, while anyone facing legal restrictions will not be allowed to contest.

At the training programme, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir said the constitutional responsibility for conducting elections rests with the Election Commission, while Bangladesh Police will play a supportive role in ensuring a safe and peaceful electoral environment in line with the EC’s directives and the law.

He stressed the growing importance of technology in election management and called for vigilance against rumours, misinformation and disinformation on social media that could create confusion among voters.

The IGP expressed confidence that coordination among the Election Commission, the Home Ministry and police at all levels would help ensure a peaceful, secure and professional local government election, reports BSS.