Electioneering to kick off after symbol allocation: EC Secy

“You said to yourself that it can be done, and then asked me when it can be done. You have given both the question and the answer… What else can I answer? You have given the answer. Campaigning can begin after the allocation of symbols,” he said, replying to a question from reporters if the campaign can be conducted right after the symbol allocation on Wednesday.

The EC Secretary was talking to journalists after Swedish Ambassador to Bangladesh Nicolas Weeks met Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital’s Agargaon area.

Regarding the meeting with the Swedish Ambassador, the EC Secretary said Ambassador Nicolas Weeks and First Secretary for Human Rights, Democracy and Gender Equality came here to get an overall update on the electoral situation.“They wanted to know about the overall situation,” he said.

Akhtar Ahmed the Swedish envoy assured that if EC needs any assistance, EC can inform them and they will try their best to provide support. There was no discussion on any specific issue, he added.

He said the Swedish diplomats also inquired about the law and order situation ahead of the election. “They asked whether we have any concerns regarding law and order. We told them that so far we do not have any major concerns,” he said, adding that they were briefed about the deployment plan for maintaining security during the election.

During the meeting, they also sought information about the Election Commission’s measures to combat misinformation and disinformation during the election period, he said.

Besides, they were briefed on the technical aspects of the postal ballot system, said the EC Secretary.

The national election is scheduled for February 12 next, reports UNB.