Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Thursday said there are no reports of acts of violence and breach of electoral code of conduct taking place on a major scale.
"We have not received many complaints of violation of code of conduct from field administration and candidates," he said while talking to reporters after holding a meeting with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) at the EC office here.
There have been some incidents of violence, altercations, tearing of posters in some areas. "But overall, I don't think there have been many such incidents," said Habibul Awal.
The CEC said Sometimes the media misleads people by presenting news cutting out the necessary parts and omitting what was said before and after the speech.
"Our media should be more responsible and maintain objectivity in election reporting to play a positive role in the overall election process or political process by providing authentic news," the CEC quoted the NHRC chairman as he opined in the meeting and said the Election Commission (EC) agreed with the NHRC chairman.
The CEC expressed his hope that there would be gradual improvement in the election field as few days are left for the election. He said, adding, "We are in touch with the administration so that they can maintain the ground situation strictly."
"We are putting emphasis on voter turnout. Designated polling agents will stay at polling centres so that no unauthorized person can enter the centres. If the media can capture any photo of irregularities from outside or inside the centres and publish it, we will welcome their effort," he added.
Habibul Awal was hopeful that if the transparency of the election process is ensured, the credibility of the polls will increase and the chance of creating wrong perception will decline.
The CEC said that in the meeting, the NHRC chairman highlighted the issues of human rights during the election.
Dr Kamal believes that exercise of voting rights, getting elected through vote and to elect public representatives are the fundamental human rights, Habibul Awal said, adding, "He (Dr Kamal) wanted to help us. We will cooperate in this regard".
MSH
