Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on Saturday said presiding and returning officers would be given full powers to ensure a free, fair and credible voting process as security would be the biggest challenge in the upcoming national election.
âElection officers would be held accountable if they fail to use the powers granted to them,â he said at the inaugural session of a workshop titled âIdentifying and overcoming challenges faced by polling officers in the election processâ at the Regional Public Administration Training Centre in Chattogram city.
The CEC said they want to demonstrate what the rule of law truly means in the upcoming election, but warned the officers that negligence during the election would be considered a betrayal of the nation and the martyrs of the past movements.
He instructed that polling should be suspended if any irregularities occur, emphasising that the officers will have the full authority to act in such cases.
Around 70 election officers discussed potential challenges during the polls in the daylong workshop presided over by Senior District Election Officer Md Bashir Ahmed.
Election Commissioner Anwarul Islam Sarkar was also present at the event.
As part of his three-day visit to Chattogram, Nasir Uddin will meet senior law enforcement officials, administrative and others at the cityâs Circuit House on Sunday to discuss election preparations and security arrangements.