EC Anwarul says vote recount decision will depend on court orders
'We have worked within the law. The gazette was published at the proper time,' he says
Election Commissioner Anwarul Islam Sarkar today (15 February) said the Election Commission (EC) would decide on recounting votes if directed by the court, following a demand from an 11-party alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.
Speaking to reporters at his office at the Election Building in Agargaon, he said, "There is no bar for any complainant to seek legal remedy. If the court issues an order, the EC will decide vote recount."
Earlier, a delegation of the alliance met the Commission and sought a recount in 32 constituencies, including Dhaka-8. The commissioner attended the meeting. Asked whether the EC would accept the demand, he said, "Their demand requires examination and analysis. The law provides them the opportunity – if there are any election-related complaints, they may inform the Court. The Court will then take a decision accordingly."
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Responding to allegations that the gazette notification of the election results had been published hastily, he rejected the claim. "We have worked within the law. The gazette was published at the proper time," he said.
Expressing satisfaction over the overall conduct of the polls, he said the EC considered the election more successful than anticipated. "In terms of turnout percentage and vote management, we are satisfied. By the infinite mercy of the Almighty, a proper election has been held. People from all levels of Bangladesh have cooperated in making this election a success," he said.
On security arrangements, he said each presiding officer was accompanied by an armed Ansar member equipped with an app to report incidents to the law and order cell instantly. Drones, helicopters, body cameras, and CCTV were deployed across centres. "Everything is crystal clear," he said, adding that the EC made every effort to address and resolve each incident.
On the pending schedule for Sherpur-3, the commissioner said the matter would be addressed step by step. "The Commission has not yet decided on that matter. You will be informed once a decision is made. You also know that one candidate has contested in two constituencies. Information on which seat he will retain has not yet reached the commission," he said.
Regarding the oath-taking of newly elected MPs, he cited Article 148 of the Constitution, stating that if the Speaker or Deputy Speaker does not administer the oath within three days of the results, the Chief Election Commissioner must do so within the next three days. He added that the Commission has not yet received any official notice regarding the schedule and will update the media once it does.
Asked whether there had been discussions with the government, Sarkar said, "As part of the administrative communication between the government and the Election Commission Secretariat, I tried to seek updates just a while ago. So far, we have not received any official letter or communication in this regard."
