All parties should participate in elections to flourish democracy: CEC

Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal has called upon all political parties to take part in the elections and flourish the democracy.

The CEC came up with the call after holding a dialogue with senior journalists working in electronic media and online news portals today.

"It's not possible for us to force the parties to contest in elections," he said.

He added that if all the parties do not participate in elections, there will be no competition and democracy will not flourish.

"Therefore, our responsibility is to urge all the political parties to participate in the elections," the CEC added.

The Election Commission invited 38 journalists to hold the dialogue today.

The commission is holding talks with representatives from different sections of society to seek advice on how the polls, including the 12th Jatiya Sangsad election, can be held in a free and fair manner.

According to the EC officials, the dialogue is aimed at preparing the commission's roadmap for the next general election, due late next year.