No irregularities will be tolerated; law enforcement on high alert: EC
'We hope a peaceful and uninterrupted environment will be maintained until the end,' says Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud.
Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud has warned that no vote rigging or irregularities of any kind will be tolerated under any circumstances, saying that law enforcement agencies are working vigilantly.
Speaking today (12 February) as the nation started voting in the country's 13th general election and the July Charter referendum, the election commissioner said, "Voting began at 7:30am. We have not received any reports of unrest anywhere. We hope a peaceful and uninterrupted environment will be maintained until the end."
"Vote manipulation will not be tolerated in any way. Law enforcement agencies are working with vigilance. We are monitoring the situation using helicopters, drones, body-worn cameras and CCTV cameras. Apart from minor incidents, we are not seeing any major problems," Masud said.
He added that there is some exaggeration at the field level in certain places. "The reality is that law enforcement personnel and polling officials are sincerely performing their duties."
"A good election is everyone's expectation. Inshallah, it will be a good election. Law enforcement agencies and magistrates are on patrol. Action is being taken in different districts against those violating the code of conduct.
"Anyone involved in fake voting, obstructing voters, or buying and selling votes will be brought under the law. We will be able to reorganise and reform the electoral culture," he said.
