EC Anwarul Islam declares 'Jihad' to hold election in February
'Only 80 to 90 days are left to go for the election, and if anyone now doubts whether the election will be held, that is a misconception', he says
The Election Commission (EC) has announced a 'Jihad' (all-out war) to hold a free and fair election, as the future of the country depends on the polls, said EC Commissioner Md Anwarul Islam Sarker.
"The 180 million people of our country expect a good election. We have faced many shameful moments in the past, but this time we must erase that stigma and deliver an acceptable and beautiful election," he said while speaking at a daylong workshop titled "Identifying Challenges and Solutions for Polling Officials in the Election Process," at BARD in Cumilla today (10 November).
Mentioning that the election will be held in due time and will be both participatory and transparent, the election commissioner assured all not to be afraid about the upcoming polls.
Setting aside all speculations about the election schedule, he said only 80 to 90 days are left to go for the election, and "if anyone now doubts whether the election will be held, that is a misconception."
Urging election officials to play a neutral role during the polls, Anwarul said, "Gaining the trust of the people is our greatest achievement. Perform your duties fearlessly and impartially—the nation stands with you," reports UNB.
EC Joint Secretary Md Abdul Halim Khan, Cumilla Deputy Commissioner, Md Amirul Kaiser, Superintendent of Police Mohammad Nazir Ahmed Khan, and Project Director Muhammad Mostafa Hasan of the CBTEP project under the Election Commission Secretariat participated in the event.
Speakers stressed the importance of every polling official performing their duties responsibly, as polling stations reflect the essence of democracy.
District and Upazila-level election officials discussed potential challenges in the field and ways to overcome them.
