Fair election possible with participation of all parties: CEC

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda said today free and fair election with participation of all the political parties is possible as there were instance of holding fair polls in the past.

The CEC said this while replying to query of having ability of holding fair election by representatives of donor agencies at a meeting held at the Election Commission Secretariat.

"We have sought technical support from donor agencies in holding the election. Besides, they (donor agencies) will help us in preparing election equipment," he also said coming out of the meeting.

The EC wanted to distribute smart cards among all before the next general election despite it has no link to election, he said.

Asked about the government for election period by the donor agencies, the CEC said, "We have nothing to do to this end as the government will take decision on the matter."

UNDP Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Robert D. Watkins said," We want to give all sorts of technical assistances to hold a free and fair election."

He also said that holding of fair and free elections is very much possible as the commission has specific laws to this end, saying "Participation of all political parties is essential to hold fair election."

The donor agencies held a one and a half hour meeting from 11.30am with the EC at its secretariat.

Representatives of Canada, Australia, China, France, European Union, Germany, India, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Turkey, Unites States, the United Kingdom, were present at the meeting.

Source: BSS