The Election Commission (EC) will not let a question mark hang over the upcoming 11th parliamentary election in any way, said Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukder on Monday.
"We don't want to put a blot on our (EC's) image by holding a 'questionable' election. I know that none of you (government officials) will shoulder this risk," he said.
"If there's no level-playing field, the upcoming national election will come under question," he said at a training programme of government officials for the upcoming polls at Agargaon Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital.
If the existing laws are not enforced equally for all the candidates, the election will be considered as a 'questionable' one, he observed.
The EC imparted training to 408 officials of 13 districts on the day, when only 26 days were left for the 11th parliamentary election.
Mahbub Talukder called upon the officials to discharge their duties without fear and favour during the election.
"Discharge your (officials) duties with utmost courage and sans fear and favour during the election. If you fail then the election will fail," he said.
If the officials carry out their duties properly, then the nation will get inspired seeing their (EC's) success, he viewed.
Mr Talukder said elections in the past were held sometimes under caretaker government and sometimes under military-backed non-party government and also under ruling party.
But for the first time the country is going to see a participatory election on December 30 since the tradition of continuity for holding election is yet to be established in the country.
"And for this reason we (EC) will not allow the election to go into different direction," he said.
He urged the government officials to work for bringing confidence in the voters about voting.
The election commissioner called upon the officials to ensure such an environment that voters can come to the polling centres for casting votes without fear and go back home safely.
He said all the activities of the EC are under watch of the country people and the outside world as well.
"We (EC) are not only under the surveillance of the countrymen but also people of the world," he said.
"Each of our (EC) activities and steps is being monitored by all. The upcoming election is an election to uphold our (country's) image. We want to stand up as a respected nation before the globe. We will never allow our election to become controversial," he added.
He said the main spirit of the country's Liberation War was to establish democracy and the main lesson of democracy is to establish the rule of law and implement the laws equally for all.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com