Stay neutral during polls: CEC tells lawmen

Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda has instructed lawmen to remain neutral during the city corporation and upazila parishad elections.

“Don’t let the election to be questionable,” he said during a coordination meeting at Nirbachan Bhaban arranged today ahead of the polls.

“Our parliamentary election was exemplary in the aspects of free and fairness,” he said. “We expect the same atmosphere in upazila and city polls.”

He instructed the law enforcing agencies to provide security to the voters and agents of different political parties during the voting process.

The CEC also praised the role of police force in curbing untoward situation during the national election and instructed the same vigilance in the upcoming elections.

Reflecting on major parties like BNP boycotting the upazila parishad polls, he said: “We can’t do anything if all parties do not participate. Still, we hope the election will be competitive.”

Among others present in the meeting were principal staff officer of the armed forces, inspector general of police, director general of Rapid Action Battalion, high-ups of the intelligence units and other ministry officials.

To be noted, the by-elections to Dhaka North City Corporation will be held on February 28.