Report in The Daily Star, Oct 26, 2023
Election Commissioner Md Anisur Rahman has said the Election Commission has nothing to do if any political party does not take part in elections.
“Political parties know it very well what is mentioned in the manual [a book prepared for officials and candidates with all electoral laws and regulations and the code of conduct]. It is up to the political parties whether they will participate in polls. The Election Commission has nothing to do in this regard. Elections will be participatory if the voters take part,” he added.
Anisur was talking to journalists before a views-exchange meeting with the polls officials for the Brahmanbaria-2 by-election at the town’s Shilpakala Academy yesterday afternoon.
The commissioner said, “The commission does not see anything for which it can be said that there is no election environment in the country.”
He said the EC last year had invited 44 registered political parties to talks on the general election and most of them responded.
“Later, the chief election commissioner invited the general secretary of the party which did not participate in the dialogue, Anisur said.
“We cannot solve political problems and this is not mandatory for us. The Election Commission is working to create a level playing field for holding the next general election.”
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/politics/news/ec-can-do-nothing-if-any-party-stays-away-polls-3452856
