No election engineering this time: EC Masud

No election engineering this time: EC Masud

Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud said a conducive environment exists for the election and there will be no election engineering this time.

He made the remarks while speaking to journalists after a views-exchange meeting on the 13th national parliamentary election and referendum at Rangpur Circuit House on Saturday, February 7.

Masud said election officials, including returning officers, assistant returning officers, around 1.8 million election officials and employees, police, BGB, the army and Ansar, are all committed to delivering a credible election. He added that the law and order situation is comparatively better.

He said the Election Commission is under no pressure regarding the current situation but needs cooperation to make the election smooth and acceptable. The commission opposes any movement that goes against the election and called on people to act responsibly to ensure a fair environment.

Masud said there has been a significant change in political culture and voting practices, noting that leaders of the two major parties have complied with the commission’s instructions by removing posters and cancelling programmes.

He described verbal attacks among political leaders as part of electoral contest and strategy but condemned all forms of violence and killings. He also condemned the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi and instructed law enforcement to conduct a proper investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Participants included members of district law enforcement cells, vigilance and observation teams, election investigation and judicial committees, and executive magistrates assigned to Rangpur’s six constituencies. Regional election officer Delwar Hossain, deputy commissioner Mohammad Enamul Ahsan, Rangpur superintendent of police Marufat Hossain and metropolitan police deputy commissioner Tofael Hossain were also present.