Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal.
Kazi Habibul Awal, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), said a crisis will arise in the country if the election is opposed by violent means or if voters are prevented from exercising their right to vote.
He Said, "There is no problem in opposing the elections peacefully. But a crisis will surely arise if the election is opposed by violent means or the voters are prevented from exercising their right to vote."
He said this while inaugurating the training programme for judicial magistrates at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in Agargaon on Monday (1 January).
"They are peacefully speaking against the election," the CEC stated, citing the boycott of the poll by a portion of the nation's political leadership. No issue, they are free to attempt influencing public opinion. But a crisis is certain to occur if force is employed or if the freedom to vote is restricted."
"We need to address that emergency. This is owing to the election having to take place on schedule. Even though there may be setbacks, we still need to fulfill our obligations," he continued.
Kazi Habibul Awal said, "Many people say that it would have been better if they [Election Commission] postponed the election by three months. But there has been no consensus among the political parties. The Election Commission has no jurisdiction to postpone the election. Many people think that the Election Commission has unlimited power. That is not true."
He also said, "There may be some violence. It has to be prevented."
Messenger/Sun Yath
