- Bangladesh Heads to First Gen Z-Driven Competitive Poll |
- EC Lifts Mobile Phone Ban, Bars Photos Inside Booths |
- Youth participation vital to BD’s democratic future: C’wealth Group |
- Stocks retreat on week’s first trading day as turnover drops |
- Free education for girls up to honours if BNP wins: Zubaida Rahman |
No concern over Feb 12 elections: EC Secretary
Senior Secretary of the Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) Secretariat Akhtar Ahmed today said there is no concern about the 13th national elections and referendum to be held on February 12.
Noting that there are less than 60 hours left for the elections, he said, "There is no concern over the elections. If I say there is concern now, it will seem that I lack confidence. So there is no reason for concern."
Akhtar Ahmed made the remarks while responding to various questions from journalists at a press briefing in front of Nirbachan Bhaban in city's Agargaon this evening.
He said the election campaign of the candidates will end from Tuesday.
The EC Senior Secretary expressed the hope that the election campaign on social media will also be stopped.
"We have monitoring arrangements. A cell is monitoring the situation regularly and information is being shared with other government agencies. Our aim is to ensure a fair and joyful election where no one suffers," he said.
Regarding the law and order, Akhtar Ahmed said, "No serious incident or news has come to our attention so far. However, two accidents have occurred, in which two people have lost their lives. These are condemnable. After the announcement of the schedule, two accidents have occurred."
He said speech and counter-speech during rallies and meetings on the occasion of the election is normal, but everything is going on in a dignified manner and no serious lapse has been reported.
The EC Secretary also said: "Our intelligence surveillance is going on effectively. Four or six seals have also been seized from one place. No major breach of code of conduct has been found so far."
The Electoral Inquiry and Judiciary Committee, Returning Officers, Executive and Judicial Magistrates have been deployed at the field level to look into allegations of violation of the code of conduct, he said.
Once information about the complaint is received, Akhtar Ahmed said, it is reported to the concerned authorities, reports BSS.
He also said, "I will be held morally responsible if I comment directly on the complaint of any political party. So, we are ensuring proper investigation and steps on all complaints."