Bangladesh
Gaibandha Polls Calling off Gaibandha polls not a rash decision: CEC
Dhaka, October 13: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal said that stopping the by-election of Gaibandha-5 (Phulchari-Saghata) constituency was not a rash decision. The Election Commission has taken a decision after thinking. Elections have been closed under close observation.
He said these things in a press briefing at the media center of the Election Commission building on Thursday (October 13).
In a written statement, the CEC said, "You all know that yesterday 12th (October) was the by-election of the 11th National Assembly of Gaibandha-5. All arrangements were made by the Election Commission to ensure that this election was held in a free, impartial, fair and peaceful manner. Elections Commissioner Begum Rasheda Sultana was present at Gaibandha Circuit House on September 28 and addressed a law and order meeting with the aim of holding elections properly. The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, other local heads of law and order forces, rival candidates and many others. Later myself and Commissioner Begum. Rasheda Sultana spoke to Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, Returning Officer on telephone so that a free, impartial and fair election is possible."
Addressing reporters, he said, "You also know that we have been able to conduct all the elections after assuming office very successfully using EVMs. You also know that we have installed CCTV cameras in every polling booth in every polling station in Comilla City Corporation, Jhenaidah Municipal Elections. We see when someone votes illegally."
He said, "Then one by one till 1:30 PM, the polling process of 50 centers was watched through CCTV cameras from the control room. The polling situation in each center was similar. In the meantime, the returning officer stopped the polling of one center. Me and Begum Rasheda Sultana I spoke to the Returning Officer, Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police on telephone. But the situation did not improve. If we had time to look at the CCTV in other centres, we would have seen the same situation in those centres. The commission feels that such an illegal occupation cannot be accepted at all."
Therefore, as per the decision of the commission, the by-election of Gaibandha-5 seat was declared completely closed at 2:30 PM. A committee has been appointed to investigate the irregularities and submit a report within the next seven days. After receiving the report of the committee, necessary decisions will be taken regarding the next election of Gaibandha-5 seat.
