Diplomats wanted to know whether the Election Commission (EC) or the government was pressuring voters to go to polling booths. At the same time, they want to know about the violence in the elections and the time of announcement of the results of the polls. Diplomats questioned these issues in the EC's briefing on the 12th parliamentary elections.
The EC held a closed-door briefing to the diplomats of various countries and the heads of the United Nations and international organizations at Hotel Sonargaon in the capital on January 7. It was led by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal and other Election Commissioners and EC and External Affairs Ministry officials were present. Diplomats and representatives of all countries working in Dhaka participated in it.
At the end of the briefing, German Ambassador to Dhaka Akhim Troster told reporters, 'The Election Commission is committed to conducting a good election and they are trying their best to do something good. But they said, EC is not responsible for the political situation that has developed.
China's ambassador to Dhaka, Yao Wen, said, 'China hopes that the election will be completed smoothly and will be a milestone for Bangladesh's democracy.' He mentioned that Bangladesh will be stronger, stable and united after the successful completion of the elections.
CEC Kazi Habibul Awal inaugurated the media center for local and foreign media at Sonargaon Hotel on the occasion of the election. Later he said, 'Diplomats have exchanged views with us at various times. All of them hope that the election will be free, fair, impartial and peaceful. We want that too. They have been informed about the last minute situation of the vote.'
CEC said, 'Diplomats have asked two-four questions. One of them is the number of complaints about the elections. Told them, EC has received about 600 complaints, out of which about 400 have been taken into consideration. The concerned returning officer has been informed about what to do about them.' Apart from this, the CEC mentioned that the diplomats want to know about the announcement of the results of the vote.
He said, 'We have informed that we have developed an app for the results - 'Smart Election Management App'. The polling rate will be updated on this app every two hours during the voting period. Anyone can know how many votes are being counted from anywhere in the world. For example, suppose 20 percent of the votes were cast and after two hours it was 30 percent. Two hours later it was another 30 percent. But if it jumps to 80 percent, it will raise doubts.' Kazi Habibul Awal commented that the app has been launched to ensure transparency and acceptance.
The CEC also said, 'Diplomats have asked whether voters are being pressured by the government or the EC to go to polling stations. Told them, there is no reason to pressure from EC. But we appeal to the voters to vote, it is part of our responsibility, not pressure, it is creating awareness.'
Asked whether the diplomats wanted to know anything about participatory elections, the CEC said, 'They did not ask anything about it.' The CEC did not comment on the threat of violence on the polling day on January 7.
However, in response to a question, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen said, 'It is a changing situation. But we are slowly clearing the issue of violence.' He said, 'In some places the EC has taken immediate action - then there are no more reports of violence. They (diplomats) are also reading these in the newspapers.'
The Foreign Secretary also said, 'The CEC said that if the voting ends at 4 o'clock; But if there are people in the center – then some more time will be allowed. It is also possible that polling will be accepted till 5 o'clock in a center. But we will continue to get results from 10 pm. The result will be done the next day between 9 am and 10 am.'
According to a source, the CEC told the diplomats in a closed-door meeting, 'You know, certain opposition political parties have boycotted the polls seeking elections under an apolitical government. But according to the law, the EC has been given the responsibility of conducting the election. In order to have a different government during the elections, the constitution must be changed. And it will depend on the collective will and decision of the political leadership. However, the government is providing all the necessary support to the EC during the election.
Kazi Habibul Awale also told the diplomats, 'There is no denying that it would have been more participatory if the main opposition party and its allies had come to the polls. They have repeatedly said that the EC and the government should step down before the elections, but they have not been able to do so. As a result, according to the constitution, there is no way other than holding elections.
CEC said that about eight lakh government officials and employees will be involved in the polling. One lakh will be extra. In all there are preparations of 9 lakhs. And Ansar, VDP, RAB, BGB combined 8 lakh members of the law and order forces are in the field. About three thousand magistrates and judges will be on duty in the field.
