DHAKA, Feb 27, 2022 (BSS) - Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal today said holding every election, whether it is national or local government, is a challenge for the Commission.

“Every election is a challenge. We are not afraid of any challenge rather we will face it,” he told journalists at the Supreme Court Judges’ Lounge after taking oath as the CEC.

Awal added: “We are yet to understand the challenge. After taking responsibility, it will come to know whether there is a challenge or not.”

“We will create our outlook and set our strategies accordingly to deal with the challenge,” he said.

The newly-appointed Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) former senior secretary Kazi Habibul Awal and four other election commissioners (ECs) took oath this afternoon.
   
Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique administered the oath to CEC Kazi Habibul Awal and the four ECs - Begum Rashida Sultana, Brigadier General (Retd) Ahsan Habib Khan and former senior secretaries Md Alamgir and Anisur Rahman-- at the Supreme Court Judges Lounge.

Talking to journalists, the CEC sought dua from all as they can discharge all of their duties properly with efficiency and honesty remaining obedient to their oath.

Asked whether it is possible for the EC alone to hold a fair election, Kazi Habibul Awal said the EC alone doesn’t hold elections rather it has many stakeholders.

“Election is a massive task and many stakeholders remain involved with it,” he said.

He sought cooperation from all stakeholders in holding every poll in a free and fair manner.

“I have trust in my other colleagues. Hopefully they have also trust in me. We will make our best efforts,” he said.

He said they will take all decisions in concerted ways. “We will take any decision in unison after holding discussions with all of our colleagues. Then, we can talk in a more dependable way,” the CEC mentioned.