DHAKA: Senior Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukdar on Tuesday (Feb 19) said the upazila elections are losing its glamour because all the parties are not participating. 

He was reading out written speech during briefing to Returning Officers of upazila elections at Nirbachan Bhaban in city’s Agargaon area.  

The election will not be fully participatory as several parties, including BNP, are not taking part in it. By accepting this truth, the election has to be arranged, EC Mahbub added.

The Election Commissioner further said like national level, democracy is also established on a specific infrastructure at the local level. If the infrastructure is damaged by any directives, the elected representatives become obedient to the specific parties. This situation is not welcomed at all.

“Election is only for the establishment of democracy. Elections never tolerate absence of democracy. But whatever the political situation of the country is, the elections must be free, fair, neutral and acceptable”, he added.

Mahbub Talikder said the two words--trustworthy and acceptability – lack significance if the election is not participatory.

“Election must be lawful. Security of the voters must be ensured so that they can cast their votes freely. Laxness of returning officers (RO) and assistant returning officers in discharging duties will not be tolerated” the Commissioner warned ROs.

“We do not want to hold any questionable election. You have to do your duties by coordinating with different forces in the election”, he added.

BDST: 1708 HRS, FEB 19, 2019
RS/SMS