Executing some reform proposals to curtail EC's freedom: CEC

Some of the recommendations proposed by the reform commission would curb the freedom of the Election Commission (EC), said Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin on Sunday.

"There are some points in the proposals, if these are accepted and incorporated, there is no doubt that it will curb the freedom of the EC," he said.

Regarding the possibility of parliamentary committees intervening in the remapping of parliamentary constituencies, he said this is the jurisdiction of the EC. Interference by anyone else to this effect is acceptable by no means.

"If the EC has to go to the parliamentary standing committee, where is our liberty," he said, adding that the freedom of the EC is crucial for holding any fair election.

He made the remarks while addressing a session styled as 'RFED Talk', organised by the Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy (RFED) at the EC headquarters in the capital's Agargaon area.

Responding to a query on holding election the CEC said, "If we are going to hold polls in December, we will have to announce its schedule in October."

"The reform of laws, rules and regulations should be done by October. Hopefully, we will be able to hold vote in a festive atmosphere."

While asked about the participation of Awami League in the next polls, he said the election schedule to be announced would allow all the registered parties to participate in the election.

"We are also waiting to see how the political debate is going to be resolved," he added.

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