Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AAM Nasir Uddin has warned that any attempt to capture polling centres will result in the cancellation of all votes from those centres in the 13th national election.
He issued the stern warning while speaking at a views exchange meeting with election officials from the Rajshahi region on Saturday morning at the Rajshahi Circuit House.
The CEC said, “Those dreaming of ballot box capture will see their dreams shattered. If any centre is forcefully taken over, its results will not be included in the final count. The old habit of capturing centres must be forgotten.”
He further announced that preparations are underway to hold the national elections before the start of Ramadan, targeting completion by February. “Following the receipt of a letter from the chief adviser, the Election Commission has intensified its preparations,” he said.
On the ongoing debate regarding a Proportional Representation (PR) electoral system, the CEC clarified, “The Constitution does not provide for such a system. So, there is no scope to go beyond what is constitutionally allowed. Despite political debates, the Election Commission will not involve itself in that discussion.”
Regarding the return of former deputy commissioners and superintendents of police to election duties, he said there is currently no plan to reinstate those officials.
In response to a question about the Awami League’s participation in the election, the CEC stated, “While the matter is still under judicial consideration, the Awami League will not able to participate in the upcoming election. Let’s see what happens in the end.”