Election Commissioner Brig. Gen (retd) Ahsan Habib Khan warned on Saturday that any polling centre where fake votes are cast will be closed, and the presiding officer of the centre will be fired.
“There is no chance of rigging in the January 7 election. The Election Commission is following a zero tolerance policy to ensure a fair election. No matter how strong or weak the candidate is, no one will be spared,” the EC said.
Commissioner Ahsan Habib made the remarks at a training workshop of election officers ahead of the 12th parliamentary election at Sharsha upazila auditorium in Jashore on Saturday.
Clarifying the stance of the EC in ensuring a fair election, he said everyone is equal to them and the EC is working with 100 percent neutrality.
"Everyone, including locals and foreigners, is looking forward to the next election," Ahsan Habib said, adding that the administration and all units of law enforcement agencies are working relentlessly to set an example in the January 7 election, learning from the past.
He said the election officers assured him of ensuring a free, fair and peaceful, festive election and have been working with that aim.
Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Abraul Hasan Majumder, Superintendent of Police Prolay Kumar Joarder and Regional Election Officer Humayun Kabir were present as special guests with Assistant Returning Officer and Upazila Nirbahi Officer Nayan Kumar Rajbangshi in the chair at the programme.