While the Election Commission claims that the January 5 polls will surely be held peacefully, the ruling-Awami League thinks a peaceful election cannot be guaranteed.
”We have asked law enforcement agencies to take stern action against those who are causing violence. We hope the situation will improve substantially. There is no confusion that the election will be held peacefully, “ said Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakiuddin Ahmad.
Meanwhile, HT Imam, co-chairman of AL election steering committee, said, "It cannot be guaranteed that the election will be fully peaceful. But we will take maximum efforts so that voters can go to polling centres and return home without any hassle."
Remarking that there might be some stray incidents on election day, he said every candidate has been instructed to maintain an environment for a fair and non-violent election. Both were talking to reporters separately at the EC Secretariat after HT Imam and Mashiur Rahman, the prime minister' economic adviser, held a meeting with the CEC at the latter's office yesterday.
"The law enforcement agencies are launching drives to arrest miscreants and seize illegal arms. The people will get a congenial atmosphere to exerdse their franchise," said the CEC.
About the nonstop blockade of the BNP-led 18-party opposition alliance from today, HT Imam said BNP has called the programme depending on Jamaat-Shibir.
"Jamaat-Shibir has been carrying out violence across the country, and their aim is upsetting the trials of war criminals instead of resisting the election. They (Jamaat) want to stop the war crimes trials by creating an unstable situation in the country,” he added.
He said AL has cancelled its election rally planned for Thursday at Suhrawardy Udyan as per the EC's suggestion because it may violate electoral code of conduct.
AL Chief Sheikh Hasina will address the nation on Friday, he informed.
Voting will take place in only 147 constituencies as there are only single candidates in the remaining 153 amid a boycott by main opposition BNP-led alliance.