Has there ever been a fully favourable environment for fair polls: EC Ahsan Habib asks

A fully favourable environment for conducting free and fair polls is not always possible, said Election Commissioner (EC) Brigadier General (Retd) Ahsan Habib Khan today.

Responding to a concept paper sent to media editors by the chief election commissioner about election environment, EC Habib said, "The concept paper stated that a favourable environment was expected. Is there always a favourable environment for voting? Look at the polls in the past. Was the environment always conducive?"

Speaking to reporters at the Election Commission building on Tuesday (24 October), EC Habib addressed the issue of coordination between different election commissioners as some had said the concept note did not reflect their views.

"But you are pitting one commissioner against another commissioner. Of course, I think they are right in saying that the expected environment has not yet been created. This happens every time; not everyone has such courage," EC Ahsan Habib said.

Earlier, the Election Commission in a concept paper on 19 October said the political impasse prevailing in the country means that the environment needed for a free, fair, inclusive, and participatory election has not yet been created.

"The major opposing parties remain steadfast in their positions, resorting to street demonstrations to garner support and display their strength. However, the commission does not believe this is the anticipated solution to the crisis," reads the paper.

However, some of the election commissioners expressed their opinion against it.

Two election commissioners said the concept paper was purely the Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal's personal view. 

Although the CEC's statement was sought on this matter, he refused to speak to the media.