Election Commissioner Anwarul Islam Sarker on Tuesday said officials assigned to perform election duties will carry out publicity about the referendum but won’t campaign for or against any side.
“Our position on the referendum is that we are encouraging people to participate in it. However, those entrusted with election duty will not legally work in favour of or against any side,” he said while responding to a question from reporters at his office in the city’s Nirbachan Bhaban.
The Election Commissioner said returning officers, assistant returning officers and other election officials would carry out publicity related to the referendum but would not take sides.
“No returning officer or assistant returning officer is campaigning for any side. Those appointed as returning officers cannot do that,” he claimed.
Replying to a question on whether publishing election results might take longer this time due to the counting of postal ballots alongside manual ballots for both the general election and the referendum, Anwarul Islam said the Election Commission is trying to announce the results within the expected timeframe.
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“In previous elections, we usually saw that most unofficial results came in by midnight. This time as well, it will be similar—at most by late night or by the following day,” he said.
Responding to another question regarding demands to ban the Jatiya Party from participating in the election, the Election Commissioner said registered political parties that have valid nominations will take part in the polls. “We believe that all registered parties with nominations will contest the election,” Anwar said.
About the maintenance of electoral code of conduct, he said mobile courts have so far conducted drives in 128 constituencies. “They identified 144 violations of the code of conduct, fined a total of Tk 905,500 and filed 94 cases in the last 18 days since January 8,” he added.
Addressing allegations by Jamaat-e-Islami and National Citizen Party (NCP) that there is no level-playing field, Anwarul Islam said the Election Commission has already taken necessary measures to address their complaints.
“We have forwarded every specific complaint they submitted to the concerned returning officers and the Electoral Inquiry Committees, and action will be taken in accordance with the law,” he said.
EC Anwar said the EC believes the overall election atmosphere this time is much better than many previous elections.
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He said the people are participating in the election with full confidence. “Political parties are taking part, and election campaigns are being conducted in a festive manner across the country. These things are reflection of public confidence (in EC),” the Election Commissioner said.
Asked whether the Election Commission has any concerns about the February 12 elections, Anwarul Islam said the commission has taken all necessary steps to ensure a fair and neutral election.“Inshallah, you, the nation and the world will see that a fair election is held on February 12.”