Will have much better polls atmosphere one day, says CEC

MOULVIBAZAR, Mar 15 (UNB): Mentioning that a 'warlike' atmosphere is created in the country during any election, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KMNurul Huda on Thursday hoped that the situation will change one day and there will be polls environment like that in the developed countries.

"...there're must be people to guard polling centres. This type of atmosphere is created in the country. But, there's no such environment in the developed countries. The atmosphere prevailing in the rich country will develop here one day," he said.

The CEC was addressing a view-exchange meeting with election officials and law enforcement agencies at the Deputy Commissioner's office in the afternoon ahead of the 2nd phase upazila parishad elections.

He said law enforcers must ensure the security of voters and candidates. "It'll have to be ensured so that voters can return home safely after casting their votes and so that no candidate is driven out of polling centre."

Responding to a query about low turnout in the first phase upazila parishad polls held on March 10, Nurul Huda attributed it to the election boycott by the main opposition party.

Replying to another question, he said, "We arrange elections. And it's the internal matter of a political party whether it'll join polls or not."

Superintendent of Police of the district Md Shahjalal, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Ashrafur Rahman, all Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs), representatives of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) and Ansar were present at the meeting.