Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Mohammad Abu Hena yesterday said that if the "right'' law and order did not prevail during the coming parliamentary polls, he would "think whether to hold the elections on schedule."

The most important thing for a free and fair election is law and order. If that is absent, 1 will seriously think whether to hold the polls on schedule," the CEC. said while talking to a group of reporters at his office.

But he mentioned that it was mandatory as par the Constitution to hold the elections within 90 days after dissolution of the Parliament.

The CEC said that he had sought a consensus of all the political parties, over some' issues, to ensure that tension is not mounted."

The CEC appealed to all the political parties to abide by the election code of conduct . 1 | urge all the political parties to

Sass on this message to their eld level workers. Those who would form the next government have a big responsibility." he said.

About Implementation and monitoring of th6 code of conduct' during the coming polls, Abu Hena said that complaints of any irregularity in this regard must be lodged with the Election Enquiry Committee already set up in every district.

"I have also instructed the district commissioners to set up teams to monitor adherence to the code of conduct’ (by the parties) at the field level," the CEC said. An Election Commission (EC) official at the central office’ will head the observers team and take necessary actiqp in case of any irregularity.

Replying to a question whether he would seek promulgation of any new law. the CEC said, "when I will anticipate any problem ) may seek promulgation of laws. 1 am not complacent. I have to be prepared for the worst scenario."

About the tension mounting over the convening of public meetings by two major political parties at the same venue on June 10 in the capital, the CEC said that he expected the appropriate authorities would settle the matter.

"1 have called a meeting of all district and divisional commissioners, police supers and DIGs on May 6," the CEC said adding that he would instruct them to make the people aware of the code of conduct and discuss other polls-related issues.

About the omission of the clause from the code of conduct on the use of places of worship for election campaign, the CEC pointed out that Article 74 of the Representation of the People's Order already banned the use of religion or places of worship for campaign purposes.