Cooperation among political parties most important for election: CEC

The most important thing for a successful election is cooperation among political parties, said Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal.

Deploying police in the polling stations will not create a level playing field, but competition among the political parties will, the CEC told reporters at the Election Bhaban in the capital's Agargaon area yesterday. 

Stating that a democratic election will not succeed without effective competition, he said, "I will not create equality by appointing police. The balance will be determined through competition among the political parties. The election agents of the candidates will create balance in each centre.

"If the political parties cannot create a balance, then it will not be possible to carry out elections in a fair, credible, and reliable manner with the help of the police and army."

The CEC said the Election Commission will not be able to conduct fair elections without the political parties' consensus and compromise, for which dialogue among them is essential.

Noting that there is no such dialogue between the political parties, he said, "We think it is necessary. We do not want to get involved in politics, but we expect necessary support from politicians."

Kazi Habibul Awal further said all the parties have been saying they will meet in the streets to test their strength but a show of force on the streets will not lead to a democratic election.

"For a truly democratic election, you have to join the polls. The election must be contested according to the rules," he said.

Regarding the law ministry's unresponsiveness to the Representation of the People Order (RPO) amendment proposal, the CEC said, "We will wait a little more. I believe the government will look into it. We think we sent a number of logical proposals. It is not that the government will ignore it."