The Election Commission (EC) has issued a set of directives to be complied by the polls observers as mandatory, including prohibition on speaking to media, on the election day.
“On the election day, journalists might point their camera towards you as an observer. But, you couldn’t speak, comment or go live describing the poll scenario,” EC Secretary Helaluddin Ahmad told executives of local election monitoring organizations during a briefing at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city on Tuesday.
The EC has granted permission for a total of 118 non-government organizations for monitoring the 11th Parliamentary election scheduled to be held on December 30, 2018.
Helaluddin issued warning for the election monitoring organizations of cancelling
registration with all relevant authorities for breaching of the EC directives.
“An election observer must carry the official identity hanging from shoulder and shall introduce him or herself to Presiding Officer of the concerned polling centre. An observer will take position in the premises of polling centre and couldn’t visit polling booths or marking rooms. He or she couldn’t use cell phone and take photos,” the EC secretary said.
He said that observers must keep visible the official identity all the time during polls hours so that whoever seen them can understand their duty.
“They (Observers) will see and take notes. They could only report to respective organization. Concerned organization will compile a report from observers and submit it to the Commission’s control room for necessary action. In case they (Observers) have seen any irregularities at any polling centre, they could report to the Commission or respective organization instantly.”
The EC Secretary said the role of election observers will be impartial and they couldn’t advice presiding and polling officials.
He also requested election monitoring organizations not to grant appointment to anyone aligned to a political party.
Helaluddin said election monitoring organizations couldn’t go for press conference before completion of a comprehensive report covering total election scenario of a constituency.
He said organizations granted permission for monitoring of the election must be caring on securing official registration and act in light of the EC directives.
Helaluddin said the commission has decided not to defer the national polls further.
“Election will be held on its scheduled date of December 30. You all should know that the election this year has a unique side as all the political parties are going to contest despite the fact that the Parliament is active and the government is sitting on.”
He also said, “This time, the election will be contesting amid a peaceful and harmonious environment.”
He said Army, BGB, Police, Rab, Coastguards, VDP and Ansars will remain watchful to maintain a peaceful climate in the election.
Election Commission Additional Secretary Mukhlesur Rahman presided over the briefing.
