Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda yesterday said he did not rule out the possibility of army deployment in the next general elections, and that the decision would be taken at an appropriate time.

“We didn’t take any decision about army deployment. It’s a reality that army is deployed in every parliamentary election. There is still more than one year at hand. This decision cannot be given so early,” he told journalists at his Election Bhaban office in the capital.

“It’s too early… the Election Commission will discuss the issue and make decision at the right time.”

In reply to another query that people want army deployment, Nurul Huda said, “We would carry out our constitutional duty. We cannot measure people’s opinion. We cannot measure it how many people want army. We listen to the people through media. But we take decision through the commission.”

Drawing attention to another commissioner’s comment on army deployment, he said, “I have noticed that the commissioner said in the media that it was not the decision of the commission. He thinks that there is the necessity of army deployment. It was his personal opinion.”  

On Monday, Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukder told the journalists that the commission decided to deploy army but later on Tuesday he retracted from his earlier stance and told a media that it was his personal opinion.

Election experts said when the Election Commissioners say different things on the same issue it creates a kind of distrust of the Commission and it affects the credibility of the national elections.

Asked about whether Army would be in the included in the definition of law enforcement agencies, he said, “Time has not come to say anything in this regard. Commission’s decision is the most important matter. It cannot be any personal opinion. Here is nothing to confuse by saying anything right not. Let’s see —-.”

“We would inform the nation through media of the army deployment after the meeting of the Commission. How the army would be deployed? What would be the position of army deployment?” he added.

Asked about the introduction of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) in the next general elections, he said, “We have said this matter several times. We are not ready to hold national level elections by the EVM. We would introduce it in the local body elections on experimental basis.”

In reply to another query, the CEC said, “We don’t represent the people. We are not elected by their votes. We are carrying out our constitutional duties. But we would consider all opinions and suggestions of all and the decisions would come through the Commission.”

Asked about what message EC want to give to the nation through Rangpur City Corporation (RCC) elections, he said, “We would try to hold elections acceptable to the people so that voters can keep faith on us. This trust has already begun building up through the Comilla City Corporation elections and other elections. It will also be seen in the RCC polls.”

Asked about how the electoral rules would be maintained in the RCC elections, he said, “It’s an important matter because the RCC polls are partisan elections. So the behaviour of candidates and parties are important for us. We hope they would follow the electoral code of conduct. They have done it in the past and would do it in future.”

“We would hold meeting in Rangpur soon. Besides, we held meeting with the law enforcers at the EC on 19 November. In addition, we would hold meeting all concerned level,” he added.