Staff Reporter :
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda on Tuesday contradicted his colleague and Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukder’s remarks that there was no level-playing field for December 30 polls.
“Mahbub Talukdar did not speak the truth. The overall electoral situation is good,” Nurul Huda told journalists after a view exchange meeting on the law and order situation of the three hill districts held in Rangamati Tribal Cultural Institute.
The CEC Huda insisted despite complaints from the opposition about attacks on them, there is a level-playing field for all candidates for campaigning in the 11th parliamentary elections.
“A congenial election atmosphere prevails in the country. Although a few stray incidents took place, everything is fine. All are doing election work unopposed, as there’s a level-playing field.”
In favour of his observation, he said a record number of candidates are contesting in the election this time.
Mahbub Talukder said on Monday that any level-playing for the forthcoming parliamentary election is absent.
“I don’t think there’s anything like level-playing field. The term ‘level-playing field’ has turned into a meaningless word,” he said.
A day later, the CEC contradicted his colleague’s comment.
Nurul Huda asked the election officials to remain alert so that no political party nor any individual can establish control over polling stations on the voting day.
He directed them to ensure an atmosphere so that no one can influence the voters.
Election Commissioner Shahadat Hossain, EC Secretary Helal Uddin Ahmed, Chattogram Divisional Commissioner Abdul Mannan, DIG of Chattogram range Golam Faruque, Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police of the three hill districts and officials concerned attended the meeting. Election Commissioner Rafiqul Islam on Tuesday instructed its officials to remain alert at the time of publishing the results of the national polls.
