Polling to be halted if irregularities cannot be controlled: CEC

If the irregularities in the upcoming 12th national election cannot be effectively controlled the Election Commission will stop the polling process across the country, said Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal.
The CEC made the remarks replying to a query of veteran journalist Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury during a workshop titled "12th National Parliament Elections: Role of Mass Media," at the EC building on Thursday.
Replying to the query, the CEC said: "In such a scenario, I would have no choice but to suspend the election process across the country. Later on, new elections would be organised."
The presiding officers will be asked to leave the centres immediately in such cases, he added.
During the workshop, the CEC changed his earlier stance over inclusion of all political parties as well saying they have kept their doors open for dialogue with any political party. This is the second such type of workshop organized by the election commission within a month.
Mentioning the recent Representation of the People (RPO) amendment, the CEC said that the significant provision we have introduced will allow the presiding officers to hold a pivotal role as the head of their respective polling centre.
In case EC needs to intervene, the presiding officer will be the key, he added.
It is to mention that the 'Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill, 2023' was passed in July this year with the key amendment authorizing the Election Commission to postpone or cancel polling results or voting of one or more polling stations in any number of constituencies on polling day, but not the entire election to a constituency.
While concluding the workshop CEC Habibul Awal said that the presiding officers have been asked to strictly monitor the fairness of the election. "If irregularities emerge, the presiding officer should promptly inform both the police and the magistrate."
Receiving the information, the police and the magistrate will provide assistance. If the situation still does not improve, the presiding officer should stop voting at the station, he stated.
The CEC further said, "We advocate for an election that upholds democratic principles, free from any undue influence. It should ensure that voters have the opportunity to freely exercise their right to vote."
Indicating to change their position over an inclusive election, the CEC said they will continue inviting political parties to hold dialogues to address issues ahead of the upcoming national election.
"We will continue inviting -- come, resolve the problems or address the existing issues," he said.
He, however, feels that a favourable environment for a free, fair and acceptable election, is yet to be ensured but they are trying to have it.
Election Commissioner Begum Rashida Sultana also reiterated CEC in the workshop saying that the Election Commission is trying to gain confidence. “We are working sincerely.”
Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd) Ahsan Habib Khan said: ‘’What we are hoping for is for a participatory election."