All elections were fair in past five yrs, claims CEC

Chief election commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad on Wednesday claimed that all the elections held during their five-year tenure were by and large fair and peaceful, saying some minor irregularities overshadowed the scenario.

‘We arranged many elections, including the parliamentary polls and presidential one. Unfortunately, minor irregularities in a few areas or a few exceptional and peace-breaking incidents got highlighted. Other than those, the elections were held in a fair and peaceful manner in all other areas,’ he said.

The CEC made the claim while replying to a query at a press conference on the Zila Parishad election at the Election Commission Secretariat in the city.

Rakibuddin said there are a few pockets where arrangement of fair elections is difficult as every candidate thinks of himself or herself as the best and competent one for the victory.

‘We’ve seen there are a few pockets where it’s difficult to arrange polls. In the pockets, every candidate thinks s/he is the best and needs to be elected by any means. They also think that voters will make a mistake if they don’t elect them. We’ve to overcome this,’ he said.

The CEC said the democratic practices did not continue for a long time in the country as it was interrupted again and again by military rules or other rules unlike neighbouring countries or developed ones.

‘Now, the democratic practices started improving. I hope the country’s people will bring the system to a height where no police will be required to arrange any election. I hope we all will be conscious and no one will engage in clash with another,’ he said.

Asked if there is any immediate way to make the polls more credible and fairer, Rakibuddin got slightly furious, saying definitely there is immediate measure. ‘There are RAB and BGB. If you come (to engage in irregularities), we’ll make you understand what is immediate measure.’

Four election commissioners and EC secretary were present at the briefing.

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