`If EC fails to hold upazila polls free, democracy to face image crisis’

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal has said that if the Election Commission fails to hold free and fair upazila polls, the democratic continuity which has been established after the parliamentary elections on January 7 will be tarnished.

The CEC made this remark while exchanging views on the law and order situation with field administrations ahead of the upazila polls at Nirbachon Bhaban at Agargaon in the city on Thursday.

He said the upazila parishad elections must be held in a free and fair manner at any cost. 

“We have to prove that Bangladesh has democracy and that's why we must hold the upazila polls free and fair,” he said.

There might be some chaos in any election, but measures should be taken so that the voters can cast their vote without any trouble, said the CEC, drawing attention of all the deputy commissioners (DCs) and police supers who attended the meeting.

The CEC also gave directives to the field level administrative officials so that the upazila polls are without any violence.