Polls won't be legitimate without major parties: CEC 

The forthcoming parliamentary elections will not have legitimacy without the participation of the major political parties, said Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal.

"If the big parties do not participate in the vote at all, the legitimacy may go down to zero, but there will not be a crisis in terms of the legality of the exercise," the CEC told journalists on Thursday.

"We have to understand the difference between legality and legitimacy. The election can be legal, but it may not be legitimate," the CEC explained.

In Awal's view, the biggest challenge before the Election Commission (EC) relates to whether or not all or the major parties will participate in the general election.

"The use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) or ballots is not a big challenge. The biggest challenge in our elections is the political crisis that currently prevails," he added.

The CEC noted that from the beginning the Election Commission has been urging all parties to participate in the election. "Our efforts will continue till the end. We cannot force anyone to come to the election. But we will appeal to them to take part in them."

He stressed the need for a dialogue among political parties to resolve any crisis with the government or the ruling party.

"If there is any distance, if there is any doubt, if there is a dispute, resolve it through a dialogue and create a favourable environment for the commission [to hold the election]," he added.

Queried about rumours about the possibility of an early election, Habibul Awal said, "We are not making any preparations for early voting. We have had academic discussions. But that there is a possibility of an early election is a misconception. This is not correct at all. We are preparing for the polls by the end of December or the first week of next January."

The CEC said that ensuring 100% fair voting is not possible with either EVMs or ballot papers. But, he said, the EC maintains its position that it is safer to use EVMs than ballots.

It may be recalled that in the face of a budget crunch, the commission announced on Monday that no EVMs will be used at the next parliamentary election.

The EC had earlier announced its plan of using EVMs in half of the altogether 300 constituencies, following several discussions with a number of political parties.

He said the commission would have been willing to hold elections by using EVMs if it were able to come by funds to buy new machines or repair the existing ones.

"After a long discussion, we have decided not to use EVMs. It is completely our own decision. It was not done under any pressure," he said, dismissing rumours about any pressure being put on the EC.

Pointing out that there will be no lack of efforts in holding a fair election, the CEC said, "We will try within our limited capacity. But it is true that countering rigging in ballots is more difficult than in using EVMs."

"Many people say that voting was done at night (a reference to the 2018 election). I don't know the truth. However, a perception has been created. But EVMs will not be switched on before 8am." ***