EC has no jurisdiction to defer election: CEC

Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda said the decision to hold Jashore by-elections amid the coronavirus situation was taken for constitutional reasons and not to benefit any individual or party.

"The Election Commission has no jurisdiction to defer the election," the CEC told reporters after holding a meeting on law and order situation on the occasion of the by-election of Jessore-6 constituency (Keshabpur). 

However, the president can take the matter to the Supreme Court, he said, adding that the commission had approached the president in this regard. "The president also said that there is no scope to postpone the election," the CEC added.

He also exchanged views with the candidates of the by-poll during the meeting held at Keshabpur Abu Sharaf Sadeq Auditorium on Saturday. 

Addressing members of the law enforcement agencies, the CEC said, "The coronavirus prevails in the country and it will exist for many more days. Everything cannot be kept on hold due to the outbreak. Daily works and elections will have to go on amid this."

Therefore, he instructed the authorities concerned to motivate the voters to come to the polling stations in compliance with the health rules. At the same time, the CEC mentioned that the identities of the voters should be confirmed removing their masks at the polling centres.