‘Political parties will play in elections, EC will act as role of referees’

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin has said that the Election Commission wants to act as a true referee in the upcoming national election.

”But if the players do not cooperate, the Election Commission will lose its impartiality and the entire election process will be questioned.”

The CEC made the remarks while addressing the Commission’s views-exchange with six political parties, held on Thursday morning as part of the ongoing electoral dialogue.

He said all 54 registered political parties are equal to the Election Commission, regardless of their size or influence. ”Every registered party—big or small—is equal to us.”

Referring to the recent surge of posters in Dhaka city, Nasir Uddin said, “The city is flooded with posters, though the use of posters has already been declared illegal.

”These (posters) must be removed. Those who put them up should take them down. We will be strict. We will not spare anyone; we will blindly jump over these violations. Once the election schedule is announced, we will take immediate action.”

”There has been much discussion about a referendum, but we have not been officially informed,” he said.

”Even under this special circumstance, where the election will be held under a special arrangement, many additional responsibilities are falling on our shoulders.”