Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda has asked poll officials to treat all the candidates equally for justice.
“Do not prefer party positions in the political circle in treating candidates. Remain alert so that no one is deprived of lawful rights or gets undue privilege,” Nurul Huda told a daylong workshop for Assistant Returning Officers (AROs) at Election Commission (EC) Bhaban on Wednesday.
He also directed the AROs to discharge duties with professionalism in order to create level-playing field for a free and fair election by maintaining law and order strictly.
“Maintain good relations with political leaders. In return, you will get maximum cooperation from them,” he said, adding, “It is your duty to ensure level playing field for holding a fair poll.”
He also asked the AROs to set up polling centres at a place convenient for voters for a climate conducive to peaceful voting.
“You shall act properly to address grievances, if any, with regard to polling centres under the grip of any candidate or an influential personality,” he added. The CEC also addressed Returning Officers (ROs) on the day before yesterday.
The CEC has directed ROs to move ahead to discharge duties of carrying out the election on the scheduled date of December 30. “Maintain neutrality in discharging election duties. Do not consider any party or a candidate as your personal rival. Maintain good relations with them within the law for getting maximum cooperations. Beware that your activity or behavior does not lead to any suspicion in voters’ mind,” he said.
EC Member Mahbub Talukder called upon the ROs to act strictly for the election climate stability. “Don’t show any weaknesses nor hesitate to act strictly if anything appears against the election environment,” he said.
