Election Commissioner (EC) Md Anwarul Islam Sarkar has remarked that the 13th National Parliamentary Election is set to be the most risky in the country’s history.
He made this comment on Friday pointing at the participants of an election training programme in Agargaon of the city.
Commissioner Anwarul Islam said, “The Election Commission is constantly facing new and emerging challenges. There is no turning back from the election now. If the election is not fair and acceptable, not only the Election Commission but also the officials involved in the electoral process will have to bear the responsibility.”
He further stated, “Even if there is a risk to life, no irregularities, negligence of duty, or shirking of responsibilities will be tolerated.”
Referring to the 13th National Parliamentary Election as the biggest challenge facing the Election Commission, he added, “We have no alternative but to overcome all obstacles and organise a participatory and acceptable election.”
On Thursday, the Election Commission (EC) announced the roadmap for the national election. The roadmap was presented by EC’s Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, outlining a 24-step action plan for the election.
It stated that the registration of new political parties and the redrawing of parliamentary constituency boundaries are planned to be completed by September.
It also mentioned that a dialogue with stakeholders is planned for the last week of September. However, EC did not set any specific date for vote casting or the election schedule.
Meanwhile, EC has already indicated several times that the likely time for the national election is in the first half of February next year, before the holy month of Ramadan.
