Social instability behind violence: EC

Chief Election Commission (CEC) Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad yesterday said the irregularities, violence and killings during polls are not at all desirable and social instability is one of the major reasons for the incidents violence.
He also expressed his deep shock and prayed for the salvation of the departed souls of the victims who were killed in election violence.
The elections were held peacefully barring some isolated incidents, the CEC told journalists at a press conference at the Election Commission Secretariat in the capital.
“The elections were held peacefully except some isolated incidents but the irregularities, violence and killings are not desirable. We have tried to hold fair elections and we have carried out our duties,” he said
Replying to a query, Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad said that social instability is the major reason behind the election violence. “Now there’s instability at all levels of the society. The values of life is less than any other thing,” he said.
Responding to the question of the responsibility of the deaths, he said, “We need social reforms. We need to change the attitude to win at any cost. Media has to play a greater role here.”
He further said three people were killed in the sixth phase of polls and polling at 36 centres were cancelled as the situation went out of control of the presiding officers.
He said the Commission did not tolerate any laxity in conducting elections in a bid to curb any violence.
The commission took immediate action against the responsible persons when allegations cropped up, he added.
“At least 18 people were sentenced and 500 others were fined a total of over Tk 12 lakh for different irregularities,” he said.
About the allegations of stuffing of ballots before the polling day, he said, “The commission took special steps to prevent stuffing of ballot boxes by miscreants on the night before the polling day. Only one such incident occurred in the fifth phase.” 

 

Social instability behind violence: EC

Chief Election Commission (CEC) Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad yesterday said the irregularities, violence and killings during polls are not at all desirable and social instability is one of the major reasons for the incidents violence. He also expressed his deep shock and prayed for the salvation of the departed souls of the victims who were killed in election violence. The elections were held peacefully barring some isolated incidents, the CEC told journalists at a press conference at the Election Commission Secretariat in the capital. The elections were held peacefully except some isolated incidents but the irregularities, violence and killings are not desirable. We have tried to hold fair elections and we have carried out our duties, he said Replying to a query, Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad said that social instability is the major reason behind the election violence. Now theres instability at all levels of the society. The values of life is less than any other thing, he said. Responding to the question of the responsibility of the deaths, he said, We need social reforms. We need to change the attitude to win at any cost. Media has to play a greater role here. He further said three people were killed in the sixth phase of polls and polling at 36 centres were cancelled as the situation went out of control of the presiding officers. He said the Commission did not tolerate any laxity in conducting elections in a bid to curb any violence. The commission took immediate action against the responsible persons when allegations cropped up, he added. At least 18 people were sentenced and 500 others were fined a total of over Tk 12 lakh for different irregularities, he said. About the allegations of stuffing of ballots before the polling day, he said, The commission took special steps to prevent stuffing of ballot boxes by miscreants on the night before the polling day. Only one such incident occurred in the fifth phase.