The chief election commissioner, Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad, said on Thursday only one or two isolated incidents of barring candidates from filing nomination papers took place during the submission of nominations for the ensuing Union Parishad elections.
The CEC was talking to reporters after a meeting with top law enforcement officials at the National Economic Council auditorium over the UP polls which are going to be held along party lines for the first time.
Elections to 738 Union Parishad are scheduled for 22 March in the first phase.
The CEC said the Election Commission has made an alternative arrangement to receive nomination papers for the next phases of elections, in the wake of allegations of obstructing rival candidates to file their nomination papers in the first phase.
“We are even going to introduce a system of filing nomination papers online immediately after necessary examinations.”
When his attention was drawn to the allegation of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) that their candidates are being barred from submitting nomination papers, the CEC said, “We have asked the respective SPs and DCs to look into the matter. That is why we have made an alternative arrangement for submitting nomination papers.”
Asked what instructions he has given to law enforcers in the wake of incidents of barring candidates from filing nominations, Kazi Rakibuddin said, “Look, there are only one or two such isolated incidents, like in past elections. And certain terrorist groups are carrying out these incidents. They don’t belong to any political party.”
When his attention was called to several incidents where ruling party men obstructed BNP candidates in submitting their nomination papers, the CEC insisted that those who are putting obstacles are “paid and don’t belong to any political party.”
In response to a question, the CEC said one has to give them “specific information of allegations,” otherwise the commission will not be able to take action against the irregularities.
“The aggrieved person must complain to the magistrate and only then can we take action. Otherwise, we don’t get any witnesses [of irregularities] when we send our people to respective areas and we cannot take action.”
Asked whether EC’s apparent tendency to evade responsibility in taking action against the irregularities lends credence to BNP’s allegation that the EC is subservient to the ruling Awami League (AL). The CEC denied the allegation.
Meanwhile, EC officials present in the law and order meeting said some police officials told the meeting that they are under pressure from ruling party men to arrest opposition workers before the election.
Source: Prothom Alo
