The Election Commission (EC) is holding a dialogue with the domestic observer organization ahead of the upcoming 13th National Assembly elections. Meanwhile, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin said that if the observers get involved in politics, everything will be damaged. So please don't hire someone like that.
He said these things at the beginning of the dialogue with the domestic observer organization at the election building of Agargaon in the capital on Tuesday (November 25).
AMM Nasir Uddin said that the people of Bangladesh are now very politically aware. If the people you appoint get involved in politics, everything will be damaged. So please check whether they are associated with any political party, attended any marches, meetings, have any links. Please don't hire someone like that. So that your people do not spread any party propaganda, influence the voters, vote for any brand. Explain to them that it is not his responsibility to do these things. He will only report.
CEC said, you are all Bangladeshis, it is our national responsibility to ensure a fair election. Reporting should also consider the reality of Bangladesh. Reporting in an American, UK or European context will be problematic. We have to do smart, implementable reporting considering the limitations, surrounding conditions of our country. You have experience, you are prominent people in the society, you are leading the organization. Your confidential report, ACR will depend on the performance of your people. So you have to monitor them.
He said, if there is a report that your observer is working on behalf of a political party, influencing, then there is a problem. So make sure they stay completely neutral. We have only one agenda, to present a credible, fair, transparent election to the nation. We are working with that in mind. You will explain to your people which lapse is happening at which stage, at the stage of code of conduct, at the polling stage, at the voting line, at the stage of box handling, counting or calculation.
He also said, I always say, my CC cameras are observers, my journalist brothers and sisters. If they keep their eyes open, no one will dare to break the rules. Inshallah we all can present a beautiful election together. Your cooperation is very important here.
Chief Election Commissioner said, we will have our own supervisory mechanism in this election. There will be official mechanisms, our Commission will have returning officers, polling officers, our elect magistracies etc. But we also want to see the election through your eyes. If your eyes are not evil, not affected, then your selection will also be correct.
He said, there are many old organizations that have done the duty of election monitoring. I don't want to dwell on the past. I always want to look forward. We have made many mistakes in the past. It may be due to various reasons. We want to move forward by learning from here.
CEC said that you will report on the responsibilities of those who will be involved in the election from the Election Commission to the field level. Whether our activities are being conducted in a transparent way, the election law, whether the election is being conducted, whether our officers, police officers are performing according to the law, whether it is being done according to the governance system, whether it is being done according to the RP. So a lot depends on your reporting.
