Ministry to implement EC’s decision regarding ban on rallies: Home Minister

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Wednesday said his ministry will implement the Election Commission’s (EC) decision regarding the ban on rallies and political programs as the EC has given instructions not to hold any kind of rallies except the election campaign from December 18.

“At the same time, the Home Ministry will implement the EC’s decision on the issue of rallies”, he told the journalists at his ministry office in the capital Dhaka.

Apart from this, the number of railway police will be increased as per the need of the department through discussions with concerned authorities, he said.

Earlier, on Tuesday Deputy Secretary of the EC Md Atiar Rahman issued a letter to the home ministry in this regard, which was sent to the Senior Secretary of the Public Security Division of the ministry.

In the letter, the EC said that the polling day for the 12th National Elections is scheduled on January 7 next year. Aspirant candidates will start their campaign from December 18.

From December 18 until the end of the polling period, it is recommended to refrain everyone from meetings, rallies or any type of political programmed that may hinder the election environment or discourage the voters from voting.

The minister said, "We understand that the Election Commission will carry out its assigned duties properly so that the elections are not disrupted.” “I think the EC felt it was right. I think that's why the EC gave the instructions so that the election could be held free, fair and peacefully,” he added.

In response to another question, Kamal said that the EC is a constitutional body, adding, “When they gave a directive, they gave it by looking at the constitution.

Source: BSS