Even on election eve, CEC holds out for dialogue to resolve any political crisis
Even on the eve of the national election, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal today expressed hopes that dialogue and constructive engagement can resolve any political crisis in the country.
"We are deeply concerned over the recent incidents of vandalism and violence. Still, as part of our constitutional duty, I urge everyone to visit the polling stations and cast vote in a joyful atmosphere," the CEC said in his address to the nation this evening.
The 12th Jatiya Sangsad elections are being held across the country today. The BNP and several other opposition parties have boycotted the polls and declared hartals to protest the voting.
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The boycotting parties pledged a peaceful boycott of the elections, avoiding violence. This assurance instilled confidence among people. However, incidents of violence and vandalism have been occurring amid the declared hartal and blockade programmes," Habibul Awal said.
"The ongoing situation needs a permanent solution and the political leadership should take serious initiative in this regard. It is necessary not just today but to secure a better future," he said.
Acknowledging the existing divergence of opinion among the political leadership regarding elections, he stated that conflicts and violence arising from these differences are undesirable.
He said a desired favourable political environment is necessary for free, impartial, participatory and festive elections.
Prior to his address to the nation, the CEC in a pre-election briefing expressed the hope that the election would be credible nationally and internationally.
The Election Commission arranged a "Meet the Press: The 12th Parliamentary Election 2024" at the Bangabandhu International Conference for local and international journalists and election observers.
"Credibility is a relative matter. But we on our part will try to make the election a widely credible one. We are optimistic that the election will be credible at home and abroad," he said.
In reply to a question, the CEC said the commission may face a challenge in the peaceful arrangement of this election as a major political block is strongly campaigning against the vote.
"This time there are some challenges ahead because several incidents have already occurred. A major political party together with alliance parties is formidably campaigning against the election," he said.
The CEC, however, said the commission would be able to conduct this election with the participation of the people amid opposition resistance.
Pointing at all the opposition political parties who are campaigning against the election Habibul Awal said, "You may peacefully campaign against the election to form public opinion not to go to polling stations but it will be an offence if you physically resist the election, preventing voters from going to the polling stations."
Habibul Awal said the commission will face a challenge if the opposition political parties resort to arson and physical force to resist the election.
On the question of many election experts saying this election would not be an actual election, but rather a selection amid the boycott of the BNP and 15 other parties, the CEC said it is not the commission's job to be involved in any political debate and it has a mandate just to hold the election.
Habibul Awal asked the candidates to place their polling agents in every polling booth in the interest of this election being held in a fair manner.
Answering a question about the possible voter turnout, the CEC said it is difficult to predict the percentage of voter turnout in advance.
However, he said if the voter turnout is less than even one per cent, the election would still be a legal one, though it may face a legitimacy crisis.
In reply to a question, the CEC said, "Had the BNP participated in the election, the election would have been more competitive, more inclusive and more festive. This is a reality."
