Election Commissioner Md Anwarul Islam Sarkar on Monday reaffirmed that the Election Commission (EC) will take a firm stance against any breach of the electoral code of conduct. Speaking as the chief guest at a workshop titled “Identifying Challenges Faced by Polling Officials and Approaches to Overcome Them” at Sayra Garden in Bandar Upazila, he stressed that candidates found violating regulations would face immediate consequences.
“Upon confirmation of a violation, a candidate’s nomination will be cancelled without any show-cause notice,” Sarkar declared, emphasising that the Commission will not tolerate negligence in election preparations. He added that legal measures, including fines and imprisonment, would be enforced wherever necessary to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections.
With the announcement of the election schedule imminent, the Commissioner noted that all campaign posters would be removed and that equal opportunities would be guaranteed for all candidates. He also highlighted the establishment of a dedicated monitoring cell, tasked with overseeing security and law and order at polling centres. Coordinating closely with law enforcement agencies and administrative officials, the cell will have the authority to take swift action in any emergency or irregular situation.
The workshop brought together key officials involved in election management and law enforcement, including Director General of the Electoral Training Institute Md Hasanuzzaman, Narayanganj Deputy Commissioner Md Raihan Kabir, Superintendent of Police Mohammad Mizanur Rahman Munshi, Deputy Secretary Md Mostafa Hasan, and Regional Election Officer Yunus Ali. Discussions focused on the practical challenges faced by polling staff, strategies for effective voter management, and measures to prevent misconduct during the election process.
The Commissioner’s remarks underscore the EC’s commitment to upholding the integrity of the electoral process, particularly at a time when ensuring compliance with the code of conduct and maintaining security at polling stations are critical priorities.
A summary of key measures highlighted at the workshop:
| Measure | Details |
|---|---|
| Immediate Cancellation of Nominations | For confirmed violations of electoral code; no show-cause notice issued |
| Legal Enforcement | Fines and imprisonment applied where necessary |
| Removal of Campaign Posters | To ensure equal opportunity for all candidates |
| Dedicated Monitoring Cell | Oversees security and law and order at polling centres |
| Coordination with Law Enforcement | Enables prompt action in emergency or irregular situations |
The EC emphasised that strict vigilance, combined with coordinated monitoring, is vital to ensuring a credible and fair election process across the country.