“The responsibility of bringing voters to the center is the responsibility of the candidate, the task of conducting a fair election is the responsibility of the EC”

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal Habibul Awal said that the election has been completed properly, it is the candidate's responsibility to bring the voters to the center. However, at various times, the casualties during polling and various unpleasant incidents before polling have been accepted as 'reality'.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal came to the press conference at 5:15 pm on Sunday. He was asked to know that the number of votes in the sixth upazila election was less than other times. In this regard, what is your comment? In response to such a question, he said that there was no widespread political participation in this election. When there is widespread political participation, voter enthusiasm increases. This may have been one of the reasons for the low turnout in that direction. And it is the responsibility of the candidate to bring the voters to the center. Candidates can apply to them. How much the voters will respond to it, it depends on them. However, it doesn't matter to us.

The Election Commission (EC) has completed the sixth general election of the Upazila Parishad. Although this election was supposed to be over in the fourth phase, it was postponed to the fifth phase due to the influence of Cyclone Remal. However, like every phase, the voter turnout was low in this phase too.

This time in the sixth upazila parishad general election, polling was completed in 19 upazilas in the fifth phase today. 36.18 percent votes were cast in 139 upazilas of the first phase. 37.57 percent vote in the 153 Upazila Parishad elections of the second phase. In the third phase, 38 percent votes were cast in 87 upazilas of the country. 34.77 percent voting in 60 upazilas of the fourth phase and 43.91 percent voting in one third of 19 upazilas in the last phase.

Mentioning the role played by the administration and the police is commendable, the CEC said, they are following our instructions strictly and the political will was also very positive. He also said that this time there was an opportunity to participate politically in the election. It was seen that they did not participate in political symbols except for two parties. As a result the election has become locally individual based as before. Although political figures participated, but not in political identity.

Kazi Habibul Awal said, it is important for us that the vote should be peaceful and fair and the voters should be able to exercise their right to vote peacefully. Now they cannot exercise their right to vote if they are forced to vote there. We have especially emphasized that aspect. Nothing stands still. Hopefully, it will improve.

In a question regarding satisfaction with this year's vote, CEC said, “It is a matter of satisfaction, not dissatisfaction.” I can't say quickly. We have not received any casualties. Voters couldn't vote, that didn't happen. It is positive from that point of view. We are satisfied with that. If the voter turnout was 60 percent, 70 percent, we would be satisfied like you. Hopefully, people will be more aware in the future and we need to make people aware of the issue of good governance and they may also realize the democratic spirit of good governance and turn towards voting.

CEC said, we have almost completed the voting of the sixth upazila parishad. This time there are three or four phases in each district. For this it has become easier for the officials in the administration. It has also been relaxing. 26 upazila elections are left. Some of these are yet to expire. Due to the directives of some courts, it has been suspended. We will do them in due course. However, the upazila elections are almost over.

Qazi Habibul Awal said, some unpleasant incidents happen. Money is transacted. We also get reports of unethical money transactions. These are the facts. In an effort to overcome them, we will discuss how to fix them. However, overall I think the election was peaceful.

Bangladesh /MP