United News of Bangladesh

Election Commission (EC) Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on Monday suggested candidates submit complaints over any violation of the electoral code of conduct to the 300 electoral enquiry and adjudication committees instead of directly approaching the commission. "I am telling you again, inform the electoral inquiry and adjudication committees, and give us a copy. I will follow it. But if you tell me to go around and look, then it will be a miscarriage of justice to me," he said while briefing reporters in the city’s Nirbachan Bhaban. Replying to a question, the EC Secretary suggested bringing the electoral code violation issues to the notice of the returning officers and the electoral enquiry and adjudication committees. He said the Election Commission firmly believes that a level playing field exists in the election process. “There is definitely a level playing field,” he added. In-Country Postal Ballots The EC Secretary said the distribution of in-country postal ballots began on Monday for three categories of voters—government employees, officials engaged in election duties and the prisoners, who earlier registered to vote through postal ballots in the 13th parliamentary election. A total of 761,142 voters from the three categories registered to vote through postal ballots in the February-12 elections. Among them, 575,200 government employees who are posted outside their respective constituencies, 169,643 officials engaged in election duties, 10,010 Ansar and VDP members and 6,285 prisoners. About the EC’s briefing for foreign diplomats, the EC secretary said a briefing was held on Sunday for diplomats on the upcoming parliamentary election and referendum scheduled for February 12. A total of 41 representatives, including ambassadors and heads of missions, attended the briefing, he said. During the briefing, the Election Commission shared updates on election preparations, while diplomats mainly expressed interest in security arrangements, command structure and the expected time required to announce election results. “They were particularly curious about security arrangements and the command structure, as well as how long it would take to deliver the election results,” he said. Read More: EC upbeat on free, fair elections on Feb 12 Akhtar Ahmed said the Commission shared detailed information related to the deployment of the law enforcement agencies including police, army, navy, air force, RAB and Ansar forces during the election. “Besides, some 25,000-30,000 police personnel will be equipped with body-worn cameras at polling stations during the election,” he added.