The Election Commission (EC) will give a strong message in the Deputy Commissioners' (DCs) Conference on Tuesday that the next general election has to be fair at any cost, said Election Commissioner Md Anwarul Islam Sarker on Sunday.

“We want to hold a good election and we have to do it at any cost. We will try to give this message,” he said while talking to reporters at his office in the capital.

Replying to a question, Anwarul Islam said the EC will have a session at the DCs Conference on Tuesday (Feb 18) evening.

The Deputy Commissioners are the part and parcel of the election, he said, adding that the DCs play a crucial role in elections. “Along with them, there are also law enforcement agencies.”

He said that this time they were committed to holding a free, fair, impartial, and transparent election, emphasising that there was no alternative to such an election.

He added that they would try to convey this message.

In response to another question, the election commissioner mentioned that, since there would be no pressure or influence from the government this time, they were optimistic about a fair and smooth election. He further stated that no one would dare to undermine it.

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Noting that there are both good examples and bad examples of elections before the present election commission, he said the commission believes that bad examples will not be created this time. The election will be a good election in the history of Bangladesh, said Anwarul Islam.

Responding to a question over the demand to rebuke the registration of Awami League placed before the Chief Adviser, the election commissioner said it is not time for them to talk about this and they have to wait a little longer. “We need more time. I don't want to say anything right now. Time will guide us,” he said.

About the re-demarcation of constituencies, he said the election commission is taking steps to amend the law regarding the constituency delimitation to reflect public aspirations.

He said the commission is now reviewing the applications it receives from different areas over the delimitation of constituencies. If the current law changes, it will be according to the aspiration of the people. The commission is taking the initiative to change the law. But it is a complex process,” said Anwarul Islam.