Actions cannot be taken on random allegations: EC secy

The Election Commission will not take any random allegations against its officials and police into cognisance but will act if the allegations are specific, the commission Secretary Helal Uddin Ahmed said today.

He came up with the remark after BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir sent five separate letters to the EC today urging the commission to act on some issues “which are impediment” to ensuring a level playing field for all political parties.

BNP also sought punitive measures against the EC secretary.

Replying to query on the allegation against him, Helal Uddin said, “The secretary is the spokesperson of the EC. The EC secretary does not have a separate entity; the commission takes all decisions and the secretary executes those besides carrying out secretarial duty.”

About the alleged briefing of ROs at the PMO, he said the commission is “unaware” of such development.

On BNP’s allegation against the field administration including DIGs and their reshuffle, he said the commission will not take such random allegations into cognisance.

“The EC will not accept the proposal of gross reshuffle; allegations have to be specific. The commission will take steps after inquiry if there is a specific allegation.”

Don't talk to media on polls day: EC to local observers

The Election Commission (EC) today instructed the local polls observers not to talk to media on the election day.

At a briefing this morning with some of the local organisations which monitor election, the commission gave some specific instructions.

Election Commission (EC) Secretary Helal Uddin Ahmed told journalists that the local election monitors have been asked to follow the instruction below on election day:

1. Election monitors cannot talk, comment and give live interview to media

2. They cannot keep mobile phones with them

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3. They cannot take any photo

4. If they find any irregularities or issues they can inform the commission instantly about it and can publish those after compiling a report

5. They cannot go to the marking room or polling booths

6. They will be neutral and cannot do anything which can favour a candidate

7. The minimum age of an election monitor should be 25 years and at least HSC pass

8. Election monitoring organisations cannot employ a person as a monitor who is a member of a political party

WHEN IS THE ELECTION?

Election Commission has revised polls schedule, deferring the 11th general election by a week to December 30 – a decision taken earlier this week.

The authorities have fixed November 28 as the deadline for filing nomination papers, December 2 for scrutiny and December 9 last date of withdrawal.

The move came following demands from several opposition political parties.