Chief Election Commissioner of Bangladesh Kazi Habibul Awal mentioned that if BNP doesn’t take part, the election might stay incomplete. In an interview given to BBC Bangla, the Chief Election Commissioner mentioned that though numerous small events participated within the elections, they don’t seem to be equal to BNP.
‘Two events, 5 events, 10 events, small events, numerous events of Bangladesh can take part within the election. However it’s plain that they don’t seem to be equal to BNP which is the principle opposition celebration. We don’t deny it, nor will anybody deny it,’ mentioned the Chief Election Commissioner.
“If that group does not take part, an uncertainty or a terror can stay an incompleteness – little doubt about that.”
Habibul Awal feels that if the election is held peacefully with none battle or violence, then they are going to be ‘glad’, however from the viewpoint of democratic spirit, the election will stay ‘incomplete’.
Within the interview, the Chief Election Commissioner mentioned that there isn’t any plan to reshuffle the administration upfront to create an surroundings of confidence within the elections. There isn’t a assure that the opposition celebration will take part within the elections if the administration is reshuffled.
Nevertheless, after taking part within the election, if the opposition celebration talks about reshuffle within the administration, then the election fee will take into account it.
‘We modified this and that, which by no means occurred. Nonetheless they didn’t take part within the election, I do not suppose will probably be a really significant course of,’ mentioned the Chief Election Commissioner.
Election Fee doesn’t reply
One of many foremost political events BNP and their like-minded events have been constantly saying that they won’t take part within the elections beneath the present authorities. Moreover, they don’t have any confidence within the current Election Fee.
The anti-government events haven’t but agreed to any talks known as by the Election Commission.
Chief Election Commissioner Habibul Awal instructed the BBC that the fee has written a number of letters to BNP and its like-minded political events for dialogue and discussions on EVMs, however there was no response.
“Regardless of being rejected twice, on behalf of the Election Fee, I wrote a letter not solely to Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, but additionally to the heads of the events who’re boycotting the elections, and in addition to Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. However I didn’t get any response, mentioned the Chief Election Commissioner.
Will the fee take any initiative?
The chief election commissioner mentioned that no initiative is being taken to barter with the opposition political events. He identified that it’ll not be attainable for the fee to ‘method’ anybody after the announcement of the election schedule.
“After the announcement of the schedule, each second we now have quite a lot of work as per our routine. Appointing Returning Officers, Assistant Returning Officers, taking suggestions from them, mentioned the Chief Election Commissioner.
‘In the event that they submit nominations, then it turns into participatory. Then we won’t have that point to name for separate conferences.’
‘But when there’s any dialogue between them brazenly or secretly beneath which they comply with take part within the election. In the event that they submit nominations, we perceive that they may contest the elections and we will probably be very glad in that case.’
Election preparations are underway
The Election Fee is making ready for the upcoming 12th National Parliament elections in Bangladesh. In line with the data of the Election Fee, the schedule of the nationwide elections will probably be introduced originally of subsequent November and voting will probably be held within the final week of December or the primary week of January 2024.
The Chief Election Commissioner mentioned that based on the Structure and the Illustration of the Individuals Order (RPO), they’re continuing with the preparations for the election.
“As per the directions within the RPO, we’re continuing straight forward. Not trying left or proper. Our preparations are up-to-date.He mentioned, the fee is prepared for the election.
‘A disaster, distrust is being mentioned broadly. There isn’t a doubt that the nation is transferring in direction of the elections in a really clean method. However we nonetheless hope – generally we see that the civil society has turn into somewhat extra proactive to make the election inclusive.’
Will or not it’s participatory?
The Chief Election Commissioner felt that elections being ‘participatory’ and ‘inclusive’ are two various things. Elections might not be ‘participatory’ however ‘participatory’.
The Election Fee has at all times needed each ‘participatory’ and ‘inclusive’ elections.
‘Participle now has two meanings. One is – if most people involves the election heart and workout routines the appropriate to vote, then the election is participatory. One other assertion is that every one events participated. Then again, English is ‘inclusive’.
He thinks that compromise and political dialogue are crucial on this regard.
“Whether or not a celebration participates in elections or not, it might have totally different plans on the bottom. There could also be totally different methods. Election Fee has no duty to regulate their plan or technique.
“However we now have repeatedly known as on all events from our ethical place to make the election significant, it’s fascinating that the election be participatory, inclusive and really aggressive,” mentioned Habibul Awal.
Will the election be acceptable beneath celebration authorities?
When the chief election commissioner was requested about this, he didn’t wish to remark. He repeatedly claimed that the Election Fee will carry out its duties based on the structure.
‘What you mentioned, it’s in regards to the political literature or the political discipline that there will probably be a caretaker authorities or not. We won’t touch upon that,’ mentioned the Chief Election Commissioner. Supply: BBC
