CEC asks AROs to ensure equal opportunities for all candidates

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda today asked the Assistant Returning Officers (AROs) to ensure equal opportunities for all candidates and political parties for holding a free and fair national election.

“You should keep surveillance so that none can violate the code of conduct of the polls… The polls environment should have to be congenial,” he said, speaking at a meeting with the AROs at the Nirbachan Bhaban in city’s Agargaon, reports BSS.

AROs from Dhaka and Mymensingh divisions took part in the meeting.

Huda urged the AROs to coordinate with all upazila polling officers and officers-in-charge (OCs) of all thanas to hold a peaceful election.

Urging the AROs to discharge their duties with utmost sincerity and obey the laws, the CEC said, “You should remain alert so that no candidate is deprived of relevant facilities and ensure a credible election by keeping good relations with all candidates and local representatives.”

“You need to communicate with the members of the law enforcement agencies and you may seek help from them at any untoward situation,” Huda said.

He also urged the AROs to cooperate the media personnel within the limit of the law.

“It is your duty to ensure a level-playing field at the grass roots,” he said, adding: “Carry out your duties with professionalism. Ensure full compliance of electoral code.”

The 11th parliamentary election will be held on December 30. The authorities have fixed November 28 as the deadline for filing nomination papers, December 2 for scrutiny and December 9 last date of withdrawal.