CEC says sorry for his rifle for sword remarks

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Tuesday apologised for his rifle against sword comment during his ongoing dialogue with political parties, reports UNB.
"Sometimes we make mistakes. Sorry for that. I went for humour. I didn't mean it. Please forgive and excuse me for that," he said after his meetimg with Islami Oikya Jote.
The CEC came under fire after his controversial comment he made on Sunday during talks with National Democratic Party.
Habibul repeatedly said that his comment about responding to swords with rifles during elections was a joke.
"You must understand that a Chief Election Commissioner can never say this seriously. I may be undereducated. Even a less educated person cannot say such things. I said it as a joke." he said.
"A Chief Election Commissioner can never mean it. And if I did, I would have told everyone to collect weapons from day one. You collect weapons and strengthen yourself. But I never said this. We often say that there is a word in English, humor, which means joke," he added.
On Tuesfay he advised the political parties to come to the field with strong morale and strength.
An 11-member delegation led by Chairman of Islami Oikya Jote Maulana Abul Hasanat Amini, participated in the dialogue where four election commissioners and senior officials also were present.
A meeting with Bangladesh Kalyan Party was scheduled in the morning. But the party did not join the dialogue. .
Earlier, Bangladesh Muslim League also did not participate in the dialogue.