Patwary warns EC 'will be tried', CEC says 'I'm not angry'

National Citizen Party Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary alleged that large-scale "election engineering" took place in the last general election and warned that the Election Commission would be "changed from top to bottom." The chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin said the commission was "not angry" over the criticism.

Patwary made the remarks at the inauguration and reception programme of the Reporters' Forum for Election and Democracy at the Electoral Training Institute in Agargaon, Dhaka, today (18 May).

Addressing the event, he alleged that manipulation had taken place in the previous election and claimed those involved would face trial in the future.

"If another mass uprising occurs, the first move will be to take action against the Election Commission so that this institution can be changed from head to toe," he said.

Referring to his own election experience, Patwary alleged there had been double standards in the application of election rules.

He claimed that in one constituency, ballots marked outside the designated box were rejected, while in his constituency, such ballots were counted.

Patwary also criticised the EC over concessions granted to loan defaulters and warned of protests if irregularities occur in future local government elections.

"If the local government elections are not held fairly, the streets will become heated," he said.

He also called on journalists covering the Election Commission to play a "courageous role" in the upcoming local government election.

Following his speech, CEC AMM Nasir Uddin responded by saying the commission was accustomed to such criticism.

"We are not angry at all. This is the beauty of democracy," the CEC said.

"Even though Nasiruddin Patwary goes out after a meeting and hurls abuses, I am not angry. I personally like him. He speaks the truth to one's face. We are accustomed to hearing such words from him," the CEC said.

Nasir Uddin said the commission had not worked with any predetermined agenda during the 12 February parliamentary election.

"Our only goal was to hold a free, fair and credible election," he said.

The CEC also said the Election Commission had received full cooperation from the then interim government and faced no interference during the parliamentary polls.

He added that the commission is currently working on amendments to election rules and codes ahead of local government elections, and that the timetable for the polls has not yet been finalised.

The CEC urged political parties to cooperate in ensuring peaceful and fair local government elections and said discussions could be held if necessary.