BSS-60 Allegations against EC purpose-oriented: CEC

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ZCZC

BSS-60

CEC-EC-ALLEGATIONS

Allegations against EC purpose-oriented: CEC

DHAKA, Dec 24, 2020 (BSS) – Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul
Huda today said the allegations of 42 prominent citizens against the
Election Commission (EC) were baseless and purpose-oriented and had no
truth regarding it.

He said this in a written statement at a press conference at the
media center of Agargaon Election Building in the capital.

Election Commissioners Rafiqul Islam, Kabita Khanam, Brigadier
General (retd) Shahadat Hossain Chowdhury and Senior Secretary of the
EC Secretariat Mohammad Alamgir were present.

The CEC said, “Recently, 42 citizens (distinguished personalities)
of the country have appealed to the President to take action through
the Supreme Judicial Council on various allegations against the
Election Commission through a virtual conference.”

It has created confusion in the minds of the people and therefore it
is necessary to clarify the statement of the commission in this
regard, he added.

Referring to the constitution and the Election Commission
Secretariat Act and the commission’s final authority for all
administrative expenses for the conduct of elections, he said, all
expenditures are auditable as per the law.

If the audit objection is not settled, the money spent will be
returned to the treasury, he said, adding that all processes are based
on documentary evidence and in this case and there is no chance of
irregularities.

The CEC said there was no allocation of Taka two crore for 15
special speakers in the training programme for the 11th parliamentary
elections and upazila elections.

As a result, allegations of embezzlement of around Tk two crore are
baseless and purpose-oriented, he continued.

The content of Article 147 (3) of the Constitution of Bangladesh is
not related to the providing of training, he said, adding that the
question of violation of the constitution cannot arise and
misinterpretation of the constitution is not acceptable at all.

Regarding allegations of corruption in the recruitment process, the
CEC said, the recruitment process was impartial and transparent and
free from corruption.

The final results of the recruitment have been announced after
completing all the recruitment process properly, he added.

No complaint was received from any quarters at that time, he said,
adding that the allegation that Tk 4.8 cr has been embezzled without
any evidence is baseless and also purpose-oriented.

Regarding allegations of misconduct and irregularities in the
purchase and use of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM), the CEC said, the
EC has not imported EVMs.

EVMs have been procured through Bangladesh Army following proper
guidelines, he added.

BSS/ASG-MSH/SRH/MRU/2155hrs