Govt should stay neutral in city polls

Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal has said the government should play a neutral role so that the upcoming city polls can be a model for future elections.

"When we say the government, we don't mean the Awami League…. We call the divisional commissioners, district commissioners, and police commissioners the government. They have to be neutral," the CEC said.

Awal was speaking at a dialogue with the candidates of Gazipur City Corporation polls at the city's Shaheed Ahsanullah Master Auditorium yesterday.

He said providing necessary assistance to the Election Commission is mandatory for the government.

"We will not tolerate any irregularities in voting. If we see any lapse on our part or by the government, or if we receive any complaint in this regard, we will not hesitate to take measures to address those issues within the bounds of our limited capabilities."

The CEC said the entire world is looking at Bangladesh's upcoming elections. The US, the UK, European Union and Japan are talking about the elections, he added.

Awal said the May 25 Gazipur city polls are very important for the EC as those are going to be held ahead of the next parliamentary election.

He urged all candidates to ensure a peaceful and fair election atmosphere. He said there should a mutual understanding among the candidates and they should refrain from getting involved in any violence.

The CEC said the EC alone cannot do much if the related administrations, including that of the police, do not carry out their duties strictly and professionally.

Talking about electronic voting machine, Awal said the EVM has a lot of positives. Though voting was delayed in some places, voters could cast their votes using EVMs, he said.

The use of EVMs should not be a problem for the voters if the candidates demonstrate how to use those, the CEC added.

The assistant returning officer of Gazipur city polls, AFM Kamrul Hasan, also addressed the meeting, presided over by Returning Officer Faridul Islam.