Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda has dismissed his colleague Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukder’s statement that equal opportunities for all the candidates contesting the national polls do not exist.
“Level playing field has been ensured. Some clashes are natural during polls and it’s not a major issue. Then again, these matters are being resolved by locally by the political parties and law enforcers. Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukder’s comments are his personal opinion as well as untrue,” Huda said on Tuesday (Dec 18)
His remarks came while addressing a views exchange meetings with law enforcers of three hill tract districts in Rangamati.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, the CEC said that they have decided to deploy troops at all polling stations in the three hill districts. “We expect everyone’s cooperation for a successful election.”
Election Commissioner Talukder’s comments came on Monday (Dec 17).
In a written statement with answers to media question, he said not all the candidates for the 300 parliamentary constituencies enjoy equal opportunities, an allegation frequently raised by the BNP and its allies ahead of the Dec 30 election.
The commissioner, however, also believes they still have time to make the election free and fair.
His comments came two days after the CEC claimed the playing field has been made even. Huda told the media on Saturday (Dec 15) that no candidates were facing any obstacles in campaigning.
Responding to queries by media on Monday, Commissioner Talukder said the phrase level playing field “has become meaningless now.”
Responding to a query referring CEC Huda’s claims, he said, “I never oppose his (CEC’s) statements. He has said what he believes and I differ with him whenever needed.
“You, being journalists, are very well aware of the situation across the country. Ask your conscience, whether a level playing field exists, you will get the answer.”