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.