Have to ensure equal opportunities for all political parties: CEC

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda has directed the Executive Magistrates to ensure equal opportunities for all in the eleventh national parliament election. The CEC gave the directions while briefing the Executive Magistrates of Sylhet, Chattogram and Barishal divisions at the Election Commission (EC) auditorium on Sunday.

In the program KM Nurul Huda said, Executive Magistrates have to take many decisions instantly. For this reason they have to read the electoral code of conduct, criminal penal code. It’s the responsibility of Executive Magistrates to watch all the candidates equally with their eyes. They have to discharge their duties impartially, have to ensure security for the Presiding Officers. Presiding Officers should not be directed by the Executive Magistrates rather they should be offered cooperation.

To the responsible Executive Magistrates for election duty the CEC also said, your responsibility is to watch all the candidates of political parties with equal eyes. Never do the unlawful work to see somebody closely or from distance.

The CEC said, there is immense pressure remains for the Presiding Officers in the voting centers. You have to give importance so that Presiding Officers remain in safe. Entire vote centers and election conducting role depends on the Presiding Officer. Your responsibility is to cooperate him when he wants. Do not go for conducting the election.

During his speech the CEC directs them to go through at least 20 sections of 5-7 laws, code of conduct, penal code 1860, police act 1861, magistracy procedures act 1898, section 127 to 131 and PRB.

The CEC said, the circula that is issued by home ministry is very important. The magistrates can perform their duties if they are able to go through the civil work properly.

The program presided over by Election Commission Secretary Helal Uddin Ahmed where Election Commissioners Mahbub Talukder, Md. Rafiqul Islam Mia, Kabita Khanam, Brigadier General Shahadat Hossain Chowdhury (retd) and Election Training Institute Director General Mostafa Faruk were present.

AH