On Saturday, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal expressed optimism for the national and international credibility of the 12th parliamentary election.


Credibility is a subjective concept. However, we would do our part to ensure that the election is generally accepted. As he spoke at a pre-election briefing in the city, he expressed optimism that the election will be credible both domestically and internationally.


For local and foreign journalists as well as election observers, the Election Commission organized "Meet the Press: The 12th parliamentary election 2024" at Bangabandhu International Conference.
In response to a query, the CEC stated that given the significant political bloc's adamant opposition to the vote, the commission may encounter difficulties in organizing this poll in a peaceful manner.

Despite opposition pushback, Habibul Awal stated that the commission would be able to hold this election with public involvement.

"staging the election peacefully may be perceived as in some ways facing a crisis, since one faction is openly opposing it, calling for a boycott, and staging the poll in opposition. We accept this as fact," he remarked.


But he added, "We will be able to arrange this election with participation of the people and voters despite having opposition and resistance," adding that the Election Commission has made preparations.

"You may peacefully campaign against the election to form public opinion not to go to polling stations, but it will be an offense if you physically resist the election preventing voters from going to the polling stations," Habibul Awal said, gesturing to all the opposition political parties running anti-election campaigns.

He reiterated that should the opposing political parties use physical force and fire to thwart the poll, the commission will be up against it.

As the BNP and fifteen other parties boycotted the election, the CEC pointed out that many election experts believed there wouldn't be a true election but rather a selection. The CEC said that its mandate is to conduct the election; it is not responsible for engaging in political discourse. "The political landscape will continue to host debates, and politicians have the potential to resolve them at some point," he stated.

In order to ensure a fair election, Habibul Awal asked the candidates to station their polling agents in each polling place.


In response to a query regarding potential voter turnout, he stated that it was challenging to forecast the percentage of turnout at this time.

However, he stated that while there might be a problem in legitimacy, it would be legally correct if the voter turnout was less than even one percent.

According to the CEC, the EC only has a small responsibility to persuade voters to visit the polls in order to cast their ballots. "I believe it is a minor obligation," he stated, noting that voters are constantly highly motivated to cast their ballots as a result of the candidates' persuasiveness.


The CEC responded to a question by saying, "The election would have been more competitive, inclusive, and celebratory if the BNP had run. This is the actual situation.