Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal today called upon the voters to exercise their voting rights freely braving all fears and concerns.
“I urge all voters to cast your valuable votes to your favorite candidate freely and fearlessly tomorrow,” the CEC said in a televised address to the nation this evening. “Cast your vote with enthusiasm and festivity to discharge your civic responsibility in forming the next parliamentary government,” he said.
“Vote is yours. Don’t be influenced by anyone’s persuasion or intervention. If you face any kind of obstacle, immediately inform the presiding officer,” he added.The CEC asked the presiding officers to discharge their responsibility to ensure voters’ right by any means.
According to him, police and magistrates will remain in every polling place to provide the presiding officers with complete cooperation.
According to the CEC, every form of transportation will be available to help voters get to the polling places, with the exception of trucks, motorcycles, microbuses, and taxicabs.
Habibul Awal reaffirmed the commission’s pledge to carry out its duties with the highest integrity and sincerity in order to organize a free, fair, impartial, and peaceful election with the assistance of all parties involved.
According to him, there are 28 political parties competing in the election, and 1971 candidates are running in 299 of the 300 constituencies.
Around 12 crore people are eligible voters in this election while the number of polling centers is 42,000 and voting will be held in 2,62,000 booths across the country, said the CEC.
Around eight lac government employees will discharge their duties in voting while around 3,000 executive and judicial magistrates side by side with eight lac law enforcers including Army will be on duty to maintain law and order and ensure public security, he mentioned.
Habibul Awal said around 23,000 local and around 200 foreign observers will work in the polls while adequate number of local and foreign journalists will also be in field to observe the polls and collect photographs and information.
He urged all candidates and voters to abide by the election related rules and regulations.
He also urged all candidates to appoint required number of bold, honest, efficient and obedient polling agents at centres to protect their respective rights and interest and prevent any vote rigging.
The CEC also asked all officers involved in election duty to discharge their responsibility with sincerity and honesty and apply all law and electoral rules and regulations.
Any kind of negligence and dishonesty won’t be tolerated, he warned.He asked law enforcers to ensure overall security of voters and all others related to elections.
If any information or proof of vote rigging, snatching of ballot papers, transaction of money and exercising of muscle power in favour of any candidate can be found, his or her candidacy will be cancelled immediately, he said.
If required, voting in concerned constituency or polling center will be stopped, he said.
He also urged the people to resist any sorts of electoral irregularity and unjust. Congenial political environment is needed for a free, neutral, participatory and festive election, the CEC said.
It is undeniable that political leaders disagree on important issues related to elections, but he went on to say that disagreements of any kind should not lead to confrontation or violence.
According to him, it is impossible to claim that violence and sabotage are not occurring because there are casualties and deaths in addition to damage to state assets and property.
He noted that terrible deaths of innocent women, men, and children had also occurred. He added that a long-term solution was required to put a stop to the current situation.
In this regard, he called on the political leaderships to be truthful.
