Expressing displeasure over the prevailing electoral atmosphere across the country, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal has underscored the need for the collective goodwill of all political parties to hold the national election in a free, fair and impartial manner.

The CEC expressed his disappointment while addressing the nation on Saturday evening on the eve of the 12th parliamentary election all set to be held tomorrow.

In his address, the CEC called upon the countrymen to cast their votes in the parliamentary election without any fear. At the same time, he also urged the candidates to hold the election in a fair manner.

The Election Commission cannot hold a free and fair election alone sans the goodwill of the political parties in the country, said the CEC putting emphasis on the need to boost trust among the political parties.  

The election is held in a free, fair, impartial and inclusive manner through the concerted cooperation of all in stakeholders, he said.

The election becomes fair and meaningful when political parties take part in the electoral process effectively imbued with the democratic spirit and then the election also reflects the people’s opinions more clearly.

Only through such measures can the election process be integrated, sustainable and conducive to the flourishing of a democratic culture in the country, he added.

But due to disagreement on the institutional procedure of the election, the desired political participation and competition is not taking place in the 12th parliamentary election and participation of all parties could not be ensured according to expectation, he said.

Despite this, a total of 28 political parties are taking part in the election and 1971 candidates are contesting against 299 seats, he said. 

“As a result, we cannot term the election as uncontested and non-participatory,” said the CEC.

The election campaign ended with excitement and enthusiasm in a festive atmosphere across the country, he said, adding that the nation is now just waiting for the polling to be started.

All participating candidates and voters in general must follow the election rules. All the officials engaged in the election duties must carry out the duties with honesty and devotion by properly understanding, upholding and applying the relevant laws and regulations, he said.

“No negligence, inaction and dishonesty during the election duty will be tolerated,” he warned.

The members of the law enforcement agencies will ensure overall security of the candidates, voters, election officials and the general people in and around the polling centres, he said.

Fake votes, vote rigging, ballot rigging, money laundering and possible use of muscle power on behalf of a candidate during the election will strictly be discouraged, Awal said.

The commission will immediately cancel candidature if evidence is found of such irregularities against any candidates during the voting. If necessary, the voting of a center or a constituency will be stopped, he warned.

“I call upon the people to forge unite to resist all kinds of election-related irregularities,” said the CEC.

He emphasised the necessity of a congenial atmosphere to conduct the election freely, fairly, and inclusively. However, he expressed concern that a lack of confidence in the country's political leadership is contributing to conflicts and violence.

“In this context, it cannot be said that the acts of vandalism and violence are not happening in the country at all. People are being injured and killed in addition to damage to national wealth. Innocent children, women, and men are also being killed. A permanent solution is needed to this end. The political leadership should take initiatives in this regard not only for today but also for the future,” he said.

This year the total number of voters in the country is about 12 crore. The number of vote centres is around 42,000 and there will be 2,62,000 booths across the country. Eight lakh government employees will remain active at the polling stations.

Besides, around 3,000 executive and judicial magistrates, and around eight lakh members of law enforcement agencies, including the army, will be engaged in maintaining law and order, he said

Claiming that the arrangement of the general election is a huge, difficult and complex task, he said the commission has recently launched two digital apps with the facility to collect and monitor data related to the election through the latest smartphones.

Around 23,000 local and 200 foreign observers will monitor the election. An adequate number of local and foreign journalists will also be in the field to oversee the election and collect images and information of the election, he said.

Earlier, the CEC addressed the nation on November 15. In the speech, he announced the schedule of the 12th National parliamentary election.