CEC seeks political parties' help for greater voter turnout

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin on Wednesday sought cooperation from the political parties to increase voter turnouts at the polling centres during the upcoming national elections.
"The impact of your call will be much higher than the campaign we run for drawing voters," he said, addressing the political party representatives who joined election-preparatory dialogues with the Election Commission.
He also said a desired rate of voter turnout at a polling station can also help minimise the possibility of taking control over the station and ballot stuffing.
"No one would dare to take control of a polling station if a desired number of voters attend there," he said.
He made the call in an inaugural speech before holding dialogues with registered political parties at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the city's Agargaon area.
The CEC said the voters of the country had been turned away from the polling stations in the past 15 years.
"The voters had also adopted such a mentality that the results will be announced," the CEC said, adding that the grassroots are directly influenced by the words of political leaders.
The EC held the dialogue with the political parties for the fourth day on Wednesday.
Referring to the delay in this dialogue, he said, "We are happy that you have responded to the EC's invitation. EC's work has become easier as it held discussions with the Reform Commission and the Consensus Commission."
Political parties took part in the dialogue in two sessions.
Representatives of Bangladesh National Party (BNP), Gono Odhikar Parishad, Nagorik Oikko, Bangladesh Republican Party (BRP) and BASAD- Marxist joined the dialogue in the morning session.
BNP Standing Committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan said personal honesty is important for the candidates to abide by the electoral code of conducts.
He urged the EC to deploy returning officer and assistant returning officer from among Election Commission (EC) officials.
"You should take this bold decision once and for all that the Returning Officer will be from your Election Commission. You will see that this one decision will bring about a qualitative change in the country's politics," he said.
He also said they would cooperate with the EC, while it has to be strict in imposing the roles.
"Be strict, you have the power and authority as per the constitution," he said.
BNP's Legal Affairs Secretary Barrister Kayser Kamal and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman's adviser Dr. Mahdi Amin were also present. Earlier in the morning session, the CEC called upon the political parties to adhere to the code of conduct and encourage voters to come to the polling stations.
Representatives of seven parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, Bangladesh Minority Janata Party-BMJP, Insaniat Biplob Bangladesh, National Citizens Party (NCP), Ganosamhati Andolon , National Democratic Movement and Bangladesh Labour Party, were present at the morning session.

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