Act neutrally, Election Commissioner Mahbub tells law enforcers

Hossen Sohel of DOT
Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukder yesterday urged the members of law enforcement agencies to “act neutrally and without discrimination to all”, reports The Daily Star.
“Don’t take any undesirable action by being too enthusiastic,” the commissioner said, adding, “It is your duty to act neutrally and without discrimination to all.”
“Refrain from acting in a partisan manner in the polls. Uphold the dignity and righteousness of your uniform,” he also said.
He also expressed grave concern over the ongoing spate of political clashes ahead of the December 30 general election.
“I am worried over the growing number of incidents of clashes and violence ahead of the national election,” the election commissioner said.
Violence and election cannot go parallelly, Mahbub said while reading out a written statement at a press briefing at the Election Commission office in the capital around 11:45am.
“We would not be able to emerge as a nation with self-respect if we fail to hold an acceptable and credible election,” the election commissioner said.
He further said: “We don’t want to be stigmatised by holding a questionable election. No matter who wins the polls, it has to be ensured that the countrymen are not defeated.”
“An election not only has to be participatory but also needs to be free, fair and legal,” he added.
He also urged all the election officials including the returning officers to uphold their “conscious in performing their responsibilities in this crucial time of the nation”.
He called upon the countrymen to go to the polling centres without fear and cast their votes for their desired candidates.