Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has said that party symbols will not be used in the upcoming local government elections.
However, he also said that the exact time for the elections has not been finalized yet.
The CEC said this at the inauguration and farewell reception of the new committee of the Reporters Forum for Elections and Democracy (RFED) at the Election Training Institute in Agargaon in the capital on Monday.
He said that despite the lack of party symbols, various political parties are already taking a stand for their supported candidates. This raises the possibility of the local elections becoming heated.
The CEC said, “We want a culture of good elections to be developed. Not just one election, but all future elections should be truly fair, impartial and peaceful.”
Urging political parties to ensure a bloodless electoral environment, he has said that in the past, there have been many incidents of violence and loss of life centered around local government elections. Competition is particularly intense in rural areas and conflicts arise even between candidates from the same family or area.
Stating that the Bangladesh Election Commission cannot make any election successful alone, Nasir Uddin said that the cooperation of all parties - law enforcement, administration, political parties, candidates, journalists and voters - is equally required to hold a fair election.
He also said that the Election Commission is emphasizing on conducting extensive public awareness activities ahead of the local government elections.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
