Polls atmosphere more congenial than previous times: CEC

Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda today claimed that a more congenial atmosphere prevails ahead of the Dhaka North and South city corporation elections scheduled for February 1, citing references to that of the previous elections.

“A more congenial atmosphere for a free and fair election is prevailing compared to other times. Candidates are conducting campaigns while voters are participating in the electioneering to decide their desired candidates without any hindrances,” the CEC said while talking to reporters at his Election Commission office in the capital this afternoon, on the last day of the election campaign.

Referring to BNP’s allegation that their candidates and party men are being harassed while visiting door-to-door ahead of the elections, the CEC said, “We don’t have any such information.”

“But the law enforcement agencies will be vigilant and will make arrests if any criminal, terrorist or bomber takes shelter here (Dhaka) from outside,” CEC Nurul Huda said replying to a query.

When asked about the role of the foreign election observers, he said there is a rule in this regard and the observers will act according to the electoral law.

“There will be our control so that they (observers) cannot go for any act beyond the electoral code of conduct,” Nurul Huda said.

Calling upon people not to come to Dhaka without any reason during the polls, Huda said, “I asked the law enforcement agencies to keep vigilance in this regard so that no unnecessary gathering takes place outside the polling centres.”

The CEC also called upon voters to leave the polling centres soon after casting votes at their respective centres.