Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad has urged all political parties to reinforce the people’s right to choose their leaders through the democratic process, which has been stalled by the current political impasse. “Democracy empowers the people to select their leaders at regular intervals, but the present political situation has snatched the people’s right to choose their leader as all the political parties are not joining the electoral race. That is why people are upset and the colour of the Parliamentary polls is fading,” Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad told reporters at his office on Thursday evening.
“The people would be empowered when the political parties reach a consensus about the elections. Then there will be a festive mood. The nation is waiting to observe a peaceful end to the current political impasse over the election-time government, and the Election Commission is not outside that,” the CEC said.
“We are hopeful that we will be able to see the end of the political impasse. But it is also a fact that time is running out; we do not have enough time on our hands,” he added.
The CEC pointed out that the commission is a constitutional statutory body, and the job of the commission is to hold the elections in accordance with the directions of the Constitution. “Which party will join the elections, which will not — it is not the EC’s duty to see that,” he said.
“Dialogue is the language of democracy. Unfortunately, we are not witnessing any sign that tells us it may take place between the major parties, though people want to ensure democracy and their rights in society,” the CEC said. He said, “If the elections are not inclusive, it is not because of any drawback of the EC or any lack of initiative on its part; the political parties would be equally responsible for that.”
“We are hopeful that we will see the end of the political impasse and that is why we still saying that everything could change if a major political party says it will take part in the elections,” the CEC added.
Hazari’s nomination cancelled:
The district returning officer of Feni has cancelled the nomination papers of former Awami League leader Joynal Hazari as he is a bill defaulter. During the scrutiny, the returning officer found that Joynal Hazari has not paid his gas bills for the last 11 years and 18 months. Joynal had submitted his nomination papers for Feni-1 constituency as an Independent candidate.
-With The Independent input
