Election Commissioner Md Shah Nawaz on Monday said the Election Commission has the constitutional obligation to hold the general election in due time even if any major political party boycotts it.
“The Election Commission is a constitutional body. The commission will have to arrange the election in line with the Constitution even if any major party doesn’t participate in it. There’s no scope for us to halt the election,” he told reporters at his EC Secretariat office.
He, however, said it is true that the election will be better if it is held with the participation of all stakeholders. “The election will lose the luster if any party doesn’t join it. But we want to hold such an election which will be acceptable to all.”
Shah Nawaz hoped that all political parties will participate in the 10th national election due by January 24 next following a compromise between the two major political parties – Awami League and BNP.
About the proposed election code of conduct, the commissioner said the commission has not yet received any suggestion from political parties about it, rather got some opinions from other quarters. “However, we take it positively. It virtually seems that the parties support the amendment we’ve made to it (election code). As they did not place any suggestion.. We think they are satisfied with it.”
Earlier on November 7, the EC uploaded the proposed code on its website — www.ecs.gov.bd – seeking suggestions and opinions from all quarters within November 14.
After examining the suggestions, the EC will bring further change to the polls code, if necessary, and send it to the Law Ministry soon as the election gets closer, Shah Nawaz said.
Over keeping Parliament in place, he said there is no relation between the extension of Parliament and the announcement of election schedule.
Source: UNB Connect
