DHAKA, Nov 25, 2018 (BSS) – Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda today asked the executive magistrates to discharge their duties neutrally without any bias and treating all candidates equally in the forthcoming general election slated for December 30.
“It’s your duty to treat the all candidates equally and you need to ensure that they follow the electoral code of conduct,” he said while briefing the executive magistrates at Nirbachan Bhaban in city’s Agargaon.
Four election commissioners – Mahbub Talukder, Md Rafiqul Islam, Begum Kabita Khanam and Brigadier General (Retd) Shahdat Hossain Chowdhury -addressed the meeting as special guests with EC Secretary Helaluddin Ahmed in the chair.
Huda said the presiding officers remain under pressure in polling stations. They are responsible to conduct the election.
“You (executive magistrates) must protect the presiding officers. It is your duty to cooperate them whenever they want. Cooperation between the executive magistrates and the presiding officers is needed for holding a fair election,” he added.
The CEC urged the executive magistrates to read the electoral law, rules, CRPC, code of conduct and other relative rules for discharging duties with utmost sincerity.
Commissioner Shahadat Hossain Chowdhury said, “The nation and also the world community are looking at the upcoming polls. The roles of the executive magistrates in the polls are very much important. You should work bravely.”
Kabita Khanam said the main objective of the EC is to hold an acceptable election. All the candidates should get equal treatment and you need to ensure it,” she added.
EC Rafiqul Islam said level playing field is needed for holding an acceptable election and the executive magistrates will ensure it.
He urged the magistrates to read the RPO attentively to discharge their duties in the polls.
Earlier, the meeting observed one silence over the sudden demise of Rajshahi Returning Officer Niamul Islam. Niamul died of a heart attack last night.