Election Commissioner Abu Hafiz on Sunday said it will be hard for the Election Commission to hold the next general election keeping parliament in place.
“It’ll be tough for the Election Commission to arrange the election if parliament is kept in place. It’ll be easier to hold the election if parliament is dissolved,” he told reporters at the Election Commission secretariat in the afternoon.
Abu Hafiz said the EC expects a peaceful atmosphere to prevail during the election.
“To ensure the peaceful environment, the government should take all necessary steps. Now it’s up to the government to decide what will be better – whether to keep parliament in place or dissolve it,” he said promising a fair and transparent election.
Asked whether the Commission has any plan to suggest the government over dissolving parliament, the Commissioner said if the government seeks they will do.
Replying to a query over deployment of army during the national election, Hafiz said the EC has not taken any decision in this regard and there will be a decision when time will come.
He, however, assured that the commission will not take any decision that goes against the country and its people.
Over EC’s preparation for the 10th general election supposed to be held by January 24 next year, he said the preparation is at the final stage. The electoral roll is being now printed, re-demarcation of the constituency has already been completed, proposals for reform of the electoral law have already been sent to the government and now procurement of electoral instruments is underway.
The commission will have to wait more to amend the election code of conduct for ensuring a level-playing field as it is not clear to the EC yet whether parliament will stay or be dissolved, Hafiz said.
Source: UNBConnect
