Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmed on Saturday appealed to everyone to accept the “people’s verdict” in the corporation polls in four cities. “In a democracy, it’s the people’s right to give their verdict through polls. It’s the responsibility of the Election Commission (EC), law enforcing agencies and media to empower them in this democratic practice,” Ahmed told a press conference at the EC’s office at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar here. He was speaking after the end of apparently peaceful polling at the four city corporation areas. “Voting is the fundamental right of a citizen. It’s a tool for the citizen to express his or her desire on governance. I hope everybody will accept the people’s verdict in these polls,” the CEC said.
“With support from all quarters, especially the people and media, we ensured that the atmosphere was right for the voters to exercise their right freely,” he added. “We have asked the law enforcing agencies to continue patrolling the city areas until the tension generated by the polls eases off. They have agreed to do so to keep the law and order situation under control,” Ahmed said.
“The BNP and its allies kept on alleging that the government was trying to manipulate the polls. We took cognizance of their complaints and inquired into all of them in our own way. We took immediate action whenever we found anything wrong,” he added.
Ahmed asserted that every election was important for the EC irrespective of whether they were big or small. “We want to conduct peaceful and participatory election without untoward incidents. We were successful in doing so during these city corporation polls,” he said, adding: “We are now waiting to test the final round of the course through conducting a free, fair and participatory parliamentary election.”
Commissioners Mohammad Shahnewz and Mohammad Hafiz, EC secretary Dr Muhammad Sadik and senior officials were also present at the press conference.
-With The Independent input
