The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Gazipur

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr ATM Shamsul Huda yesterday said an accurate voter list is a precondition for a free and fair election.

"We do not want to hold the election in a halfhearted manner that is why the Election Commission (EC) is taking 18 months to prepare a flawless voter list," he said.

Dr Shamsul Huda was inaugurating the programme of voter listing with photographs and preparing national identity cards in Gazipur Pourasabha at a function on the premises of Gazipur Shaheed Smriti High School as the chief guest.

GOC of 9 Infantry Division Major General Mohammad Ashhab Uddin attended the function as the special guest while Deputy Commissioner of Gazipur Syed Mizanur Rahman presided over it.

The CEC urged everyone to be registered as voter and inspire others to become voter.

"Many countries of the world have identity cards for their citizens," he said, adding, "We do not have identity cards after 36 years of our independence."

Dr Shamsul Huda said people of Bangladesh would enjoy 22 facilities by using national identity cards. Poor people of the country face more difficulties than others for not having national identity cards, he added.

Replying to a question of journalists, he said the EC has not yet taken any decision on which faction of BNP would be invited for discussion on reforms of electoral laws. The EC will take decision in this regard at a meeting to be held in the first week of next month, he added.

Officials of local administration, district election officers, pourasabha chairman and local elite were present on the occasion.