The Election Commission has no option except holding election on time as per the constitution, Chief election commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal said Tuesday.
“The EC has to hold the election on time, no matter what the situation is,” the CEC told journalists after his meeting with US Ambassador Peter Haas earlier Tuesday.
The CEC said the issue of favourable election environment and preparations for the upcoming national election were discussed during the meeting with the US ambassador.
“We want all political parties to participate in the election. This, however, does not mean that the election will not be held if the environment is not favourable,” the CEC said.
“Political parties have many options. They can either participate in or boycott the election, but the Election Commission does not have any such option,” he added.
The CEC said, the US ambassador hoped for dialogue among the political parties. “We expressed the the same,” the CEC said.
Problems will not be solved by demonstration of force on the streets. “He (Haas) also believes that the problems should be solved through dialogue,” the Chief Election Commissioner said.
CEC to meet president on Nov 5
The CEC will meet with President Mohammed Shahabuddin on November 5 regarding the announcement of the election schedule, according to Bangabhaban.
The EC sought a meeting with the president to discuss the 12th national parliament election yesterday.
The commission led by Kazi Habibul Awal wanted to hold this meeting between November 1 and 5.
The EC said it will hold a meeting after the meeting with the president. The schedule of the 12th national election may be finalised at that meeting. Returning officers may be appointed then.
The CEC will then announce the schedule of the general election through an address to the nation on Bangladesh Television.
A meeting with the president before announcing the schedule for the national election is a long-time practice.
