The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr ATM Shamsul Huda yesterday reiterated that there is no doubt about holding of the national election by the end of the current year.

The new year, 2009, will begin with the installation of an elected government through a free and fair election, he said while addressing a function as chief guest at the multipurpose hall of Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST) at Mirpur Cantonment in the city.

The function arranged to distribute certificates among the MIST students, who participated in the preparation of voter lists and national identity cards.

Dr Huda said the Election Commission (EC) is working to hold the polls in December 2008, and 60 million voters have already been registered to this end.

The EC has also accomplished other tasks, including redrawing of the boundaries of parliamentary constituencies, he added.

He said the huge task of preparing voter lists with photographs and national identity cards is being accomplished with the help of the army. He thanked the army and all concerned for their cooperation in this regard.

A total of 70,000 data entry operators have been recruited for the preparation of voter lists and national identity cards. They will be able to work as skilled manpower in IT sector in future, the CEC said.

Military Secretary of Army Headquarters Maj Gen M Shafiqul Islam and MIST Commandant Maj Gen Abdul Wadud also spoke on the occasion. Election Commissioners Sohul Hossain and Brig Gen (Retd) Sakhawat Hossain, and Secretary of EC Secretariat Muhammad Humayun Kabir were present.

A total of 353 students of MIST took part in the preparation of voter lists and national identity cards from December 1, 2007 to February 14, 2008. As mark of recognition to their service, they were awarded the certificates at the function.