“If ‘one party’ joins election, may consider pushing back polls”

“If ‘one party’ joins election, may consider pushing back polls”

Sylhet, Nov 23 - Election Commissioner Anisur Rahman on Thursday said that there may be considerations to push back the general election if ‘one party’ agrees to participate.

 “If ‘one party’ agrees to run in the election, it may be considered to push back the election. If they participate in the election, we will think about that,” he added.

The commissioner said this while speaking to reporters after a meeting with officials of the election related government departments of Sylhet and Sunamganj at the Sylhet Deputy Commissioner's office.

Anisur Rahman said the election will not wait for anyone, it is mandatory to be held due to constitutional obligation, otherwise there will be a constitutional vacuum.

“We have a chance to put back the election as there's enough time after that. So far, we haven't received anything like that from anyone,” he added.

Asked if there is a plan to hold the election with 100 percent presence of registered political parties Anisur Rahman said, “History tells us 100 percent has never come in our elections. If most parties take part in the election, then the environment turns into an 'election mood'.

 “Since we assumed office, we have always called all registered 44 parties to take part in the election,” he said.

Responding to another question whether there will be any impact if BNP doesn’t run in the election, the election commissioner said that according to the media’s report almost 70 percent of the parties are ready to join the election.

“However, the Election Commission has not analysed the percentage. If 70 percent are participating, there is no reason to (negatively) affect the election,” he added.

On the election environment, he pointed out that so far he didn’t notice anything to disturb the poll environment.-UNB