The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Election Commissioner Brig. Gen. (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain on Sunday asked the Assistant Returning Officers (ARO) to strictly remain neutral in official duty during elections.

He made the comment at the opening of a training programme for the AROs held at the Election Training Institute at city's Agargaon district. He warned them saying if allegations come relating to their neutrality, EC will take actions against them as per the service rule.

The training programme has been arranged for AROs ahead of the announced national and upazila elections to refresh their ideas and knowledge about election laws, rules and regulations.

Election Commissioner Mohammad Sohul Hossain was also present. EC Secretary Mohammad Humayun Kabir was in the chair. Sohul Hossain said, the AROs can help ensure a free, fair and acceptable election to the nation.

He asked the AROs to take the election as a top priority job. There is no other work that may be more important and they should not listen to any others from now, he observed.

No one should fear losing the job now if they work neutrally, rather one would lose the job if he takes partial stand, the EC observed.

Sakhawat Hossain said, elections would be held on the announced dates and the EC has taken all preparations to that end. He said, if election faces stalemate for any reason, people behind it would remain responsible for it.

The EC said, election laws have been significantly recast to make the election transparent, free and fair. He said, party registration has been made compulsory to promote democracy and bring transparency in the use of party fund.

It has been done to help actual political parties taking part in election. He said, EC will not see which party is big or small. Politics will remain open to parties both taking registration with the Election Commission or not, but for taking part in election, they should have registration, there is no alternative to it.

He ruled out any new amendment to the people's representation ordinance, for any more change parties will have to wait for the next parliament. He said, only the EC will have the right to cancel the candidacy of a candidate in the election. It will be applied if allegation of severe violation of election rules were brought and proved against a candidate.

The concerned person will have the right to defend his case and also take the case to court of law later on.

The EC will train 481 AROs in 15 batches up to the next election. They will work as trainers of the presiding officers. Seventy AROs are taking part in the course launched today.