EC won't give police unlawful instructions during local govt polls: CEC

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has assured that the Election Commission (EC) will not issue any unlawful instructions to police during the upcoming local government elections and that the polls will be free, fair and credible.

"I can guarantee that the EC will not give police any unlawful instructions during the election. They [police] have also promised that they will work to ensure a fair and credible election," he told journalists today (9 September) after a discussion titled "Enhancing the Skills and Capacity of Police to Perform Election Duties Professionally" at the Rajarbagh Police Lines Auditorium in the capital.

Nasir said the commission was preparing to hold the local government elections soon and had asked Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ali Hossain Fakir to arrange training for police personnel who had not previously received election-related training.

The IGP launched the programme within about two weeks, he said.

Both the home ministry and the EC are committed to holding free, fair and credible elections, the CEC said.

"We want to conduct the local government elections at least at the same standard as the national election," he said.

Nasir said the national election had demonstrated the EC's ability to deliver and helped restore public confidence in the commission, civil service, police and other law enforcement agencies.

Police are facing some logistical constraints, including a shortage of vehicles, many of which were burned during the July uprising and have yet to be replaced, he said.

The training programme will cost around Tk22 crore, which police would have to finance from their regular training fund, putting additional pressure on the force. Police have sought additional funding, he said.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Ansar will also begin election-related training in phases, the CEC said.

On police preparedness, Nasir said the situation had improved compared with the national election.

"I have confidence in the police. If they remain committed to fulfilling their responsibilities, they will be able to do it. The IGP has also assured me that they can," he said.

The EC will use CCTV cameras, body-worn cameras, digital and real-time monitoring of the ground situation to enable immediate intervention when necessary, he said.

Regarding the election schedule, the CEC said, "You will see it soon. Once everything is complete and the time comes to announce the schedule, it will be announced."

Asked whether candidates associated with the Awami League, whose activities are banned, would face restrictions in the non-partisan local elections, Nasir said eligibility would be determined by law.

Asked whether police would be able to work without pressure under a party government, IGP Ali Hossain Fakir said the force would take all necessary measures, in line with EC guidance, to ensure free and fair elections.

On whether police morale had been restored, he said, "You [journalists] and the people will say that. I believe we have been able to restore morale."