Level-playing field ensured for all parties: Nurul Huda

Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda today said a level-playing field has been ensured for all political parties and candidates for the ensuing 11th parliamentary elections.

“I think that the level-playing field has already been ensured. The candidates are now carrying their electoral campaign freely,” he said, speaking at a press conference at the media center of the Election Commission in city’s Agargaon.

Huda said the commission will send letters to the Home Ministry and Inspector General of Police asking them not to harass any candidates without any reason and not to arrest without warrants.

About the role of army in the polls, the CEC said the force will take necessary steps as per the CrPC. But they (army) are not given the magistracy power, he added.

He said photographs can be taken in polling centers on the day of voting. But live telecast will not be allowed, he added.

Huda said, “The commission has taken decisions about the observers and journalists. No live telecast will be allowed from polling centers. Journalists can visit the polling centers on a limited scale as the polling officers can do their jobs properly.”

He said, “There are separate rules and regulations for Bangladeshi and international observers. They should have obeyed those rules. They (observers) cannot stay inside the polling centers for long. They cannot be allowed to go for live telecast from the polling centers. But they can air live telecast from outside of the polling centers. They should obey the management of presiding officers.”

The CEC said the EC has formed 122 electoral investigation committees. Candidates can submit their allegations to them, he said, adding that returning officers have been bestowed upon the maximum responsibilities.

He said executive and judicial magistrates would be on duty at the field-level. The candidates can lodge their allegations to them, he added.

About an allegation of Dr Kamal Hossain, the CEC said the commission has received an allegation on this matter. The allegation will be sent to the investigation committee and accordingly the commission will take necessary step, he added.

Election Commissioners Mahabub Talukder, Rafiqul Islam, Kabita Khanam and Brigadier General (Retd) Shahdat Hossain and EC Secretary Helaluddin Ahmed, among others, were present in the press conference.