The outgoing Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal suggested optimizing the use of technology in the election process by continuing to file nominations online. At the same time, he feels that only if the general election is held under a non-partisan caretaker government, its objectives and achievements will be assured.
He made such an expression before announcing the resignation of the Election Commission headed by him during the ‘courtesy exchange’ with journalists on Thursday (September 5).
This commission resigned within two and a half years of assuming office. Former Senior Secretary Kazi Habibul Awal took oath as CEC on February 27, 2022.
According to the constitution, there is an obligation to hold general elections within ninety days after the dissolution of parliament. In this case, there is a provision to punish the EC with death penalty if it does not hold a vote. Since there is currently a caretaker government and no plans for elections, EC officials believe the commission has resigned because the constitution has effectively been suspended undeclared.
In the press conference, the outgoing CEC said, I feel it is my duty to leave some recommendations for the future from the experience, knowledge and understanding gained from the present and past for the kind consideration of the government. Due to the homogeneity of the population of Bangladesh, Bangladesh can be an ideal field for proportional representation (party based) elections. Also holding elections in four or eight phases, with a break of three to five days between each phase, can be administratively easier and more convenient. It will be better if we continue to introduce online filing of nominations and optimize the use of technology in the election process.
Kazi Habibul Awal said that he and his commission members have decided to resign in the changing situation of the country. They submitted the resignation letters to the EC Secretariat Secretary for handing over to the President.
After reading out his speech, CEC left the venue without answering any questions from the journalists. At this time the Election Commissioner Md. Alamgir and Md. Ahsan Habib Khan accompanied him. However, Begum Rashida Sultana and Md. Anishur Rahman were not present. Kazi Habibul Awal left the EC building in a private car after resigning. And went out at the same time. Ahsan Habib Khan and Md. Alamgir followed him.
However, Rashida Sultana and Anisur Rahman fell in front of the angry crowd while quietly leaving the EC building. Meanwhile, the angry mob threw shoes at the cars of the two.
