Staff Reporter:
Election Commissioner Md Anwarul Islam Sarker yesterday said that no uncertainty is there over the national election and the atmosphere is fully favorable for the polls.
“We think the environment (for polls) is 100 percent in favor,” he said, replying to a question from re-porters at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city’s Agargaon area.
Replying to a question whether there is any adverse situation that may hinder the election, Anwarul said they do not think there is any such situation.
Asked whether there is any uncertainty over the election, he said, “The Commission doesn’t think so.”
When journalists wanted to know whether the election would be held on time, he said the EC has already given the election roadmap, which reflects that the election would be held on time.
The Election Commissioner, however, said the exact date of the election cannot be declared before the announcement of the election schedule.
Turning to the Representation of the People Order, 1972 (RPO) amendment, Anwarul Islam said the amendment proposal the EC made will be finalized after vetting by the law ministry which would see whether there is any RPO provision contradict with other laws or goes against the Constitution. “After the vetting (by the law ministry), it will be finalized.”
Replying to a question when the Commission will begin talks with election stakeholders, he said, “Ac-cording to the roadmap, it seems to be at the end of this month (September). We have a plan to sit by then.”
About the recently published delimitation of the country’s 300 parliamentary constituencies, the com-missioner said the Commission made the decision over the demarcation of the constituencies with the utmost caution, neutrality and logical consideration before publishing the gazette over it.
Asked about the protests that erupted in different areas of the country following the publication of the delimitation list, he said, “We think the Commission has nothing to say about it. There is no benefit in holding movements (now).”
