The commission has published the gazette as like as previous election, the CEC says
The Election Commission (EC) has held the 10th parliamentary polls in free and fair way amid many obstacles and it is its great achievement.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad claimed it while talking to journalists on Wednesday at the EC secretariat in the capital.
“It’s our great achievement to hold the polls in free and fair way despite having obstacles,” he told reporters.
However, the CEC said 40% voter turnout is believable but the commission could not provide final percentage until holding the polls of the postponed polling centres.
“Why do you not believe the percentage? Our returning officers sent the reports to the EC and the commission prepared the percentage as per their reports. Observers said 30% voters cast their votes. But the fact was that the voter turnout was low in somewhere and high somewhere. The turnout varied polling centre to centre and seat to seat,” he also said.
When asked whether the gazette has been published hurriedly, the CEC said the commission has published the gazette as like as previous election.
“If commission would delay to publish gazette, you would have raised doubts about it,” he added.
When asked about any complexity about taking oath of the newly elected MPs without dissolving 9th parliament, the CEC said the commission had the responsibility to announce the polls schedule and hold it. The EC has done its job and has published the gazette accordingly. Parliament would consider the rest of process in this regard, he also said.
When asked about not casting any reject vote in Rangpur-6 constituency, the CEC said voters of the area cast their votes carefully.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
