Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmed on Monday sidestepped from joining the controversy on the dissolution of Parliament before the polls.
“Parliamentary election is a political issue and the Jatiya Sangsad is the supreme body to take any decision in this regard. We are waiting for Parliament’s decision,” the CEC told reporters. “The Election Commission (EC) is only responsible for organising the polls with authority, to decide which government system would supervise the election,” Ahmed added.
The CEC’s remark came a day after his poll panel colleague, Mohammad Abu Hafiz, had added fresh fuel to the controversy on Sunday.
Hafiz had told reporters that the EC was not sure whether the polls would be held with Parliament still in force or not. “It will be very tough for the EC to organise the polls without dissolving Parliament. But it will be easier if the House is dissolved,” he added.
Asked to comment on Hafiz’s remarks, the CEC said, “It was his personal opinion. But when the whole commission sits together and draws a conclusion then that is the decision and the comment
of the EC.”
Ahmed informed reporters that the EC has started preparations for the next general election. It has started gathering field-level information, including status of upazila and district-level manpower, from local administrations, as per the Representation of the People Order (RPO), 1972.
It has also started procuring the necessary equipment for the polls, he added.
The EC has planned to train field-level election officials for duty during the poll, who will be working during the next parliamentary poll.
The main opposition BNP is demanding the dissolution of Parliament before the next parliamentary election, while the ruling Awami League-led alliance wants to hold the poll under its supervision in accordance with the Constitution.
According to the latest amendment of the Constitution, the 10th national election has to be held between October 24 and January 24, 2014, without dissolving Parliament. If that does not happen, the polls would have to be held within the 90 days after dissolution of the House.
Replying to a question, the CEC said the EC was discharging its duty as per the Constitution. “We don’t face any pressure from any quarter in discharging our duties. The EC has conducted around 600 elections without any controversy. We’ll prove our capability in course of time,” he added.
Ahmed said the EC was open for all, including Jamaat-e-Islami, to discuss issues regarding the polls. He, however, added that Jamaat has failed to get an appointment with the EC for a week.
-With The Independent input
