ZCZC
BSS-19
EC-MEETING-ORDER
CEC for coordinated efforts by law enforcers to ensure fair election
DHAKA, Nov 22, 2018 (BSS) – Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda today
asked the law enforcement agencies to work in coordination so no question could arise
about the neutrality and fairness of 11th parliamentary polls.
He issued the directive at a special meeting with the law enforcement agencies ahead
of the upcoming national election at the Nirbachan Bhaban at Agargaon in the city.
Describing the role of police the most vital to ensure a fair, neutral and
acceptable election, he said, “Police should keep an eye (on the overall election
process) for making the 11th parliamentary election unquestionable as all the political
parties are expected to take part in the election.”
“Preparations have already been completed to hold the next national election. All
concerned of the government should work in unison to ensure a free, fair and neutral
election. And police have to do the most of the election related activities such as
ensuring the overall security,” he added.
“The law enforcers will have cent percent freedom in discharging their duties. But,
they should remain careful in doing so as some allegations have started coming (against
them to the EC). The EC will monitor their activities,” he also said.
Nurul Huda asked the police personnel not to collect information of the election
officers going door to door and said, “We didn’t say to collect information of the
officers by visiting their homes. Don’t do it as a question has already been raised
about it. If necessary, do it secretly,” he added.
“The armed forces personnel will be in the field in a limited scale from December
15. Work in coordination with them,” he asked the concerned authorities.
The CEC asked the police personnel not to arrest any person without warrant or in
false cases as the election schedule has already been declared, saying, “I hope you are
not making any such arrests.” Referring to the BNP list of 4000 to 5000 people accused
in cases, he said, “We could not do anything with the list as the cases were filed
before the 2014 national election. We are yet to get any information about the cases
lodged after announcing the schedule.”
Talking about maintaining law and order after the election, he said, “It is your
(law enforcers) usual duty to prevent the possible post-election violence. You will
perform the same duty this time for the sake of the nation and you would have to do it
with conscience.”
All the election commissioners Mahbub Talukdar, Md. Rafiqul Islam, Kabita Khanam and
Brigadier General (Retd) Shahadat Hossain Chowdhury and senior officials of different
law enforcement agencies were present on the occasion.
BSS/Asg/MSH-AHJ/GA/1640 hrs