Online Desk: Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal has warned that voting will be stopped nationwide if the 12th parliamentary election is not held in a free and fair manner.  During a discussion with media editors at the commission’s headquarters in Dhaka on Thursday, Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, editor of The Daily Observer, said the CEC had advised the presiding officers to step aside if the election is not conducted correctly. “What are the consequences if elections are not held properly nationwide?” he asked. Awal clarified that he would not interfere. If the election goes awry, it will be stopped, and a fresh election will be held, he said. Polling stations where troubles occur will be closed and the voting will be held again to ensure a fair election, Awal said.

The Election Commission has given the green light to amend the Representation of the People Order (RPO) for the upcoming 12th Parliamentary elections. The presiding officer is empowered to pause voting in order to prevent irregularities at the polling station. “We have instructed the presiding officers to ensure the election’s fairness. If they witness any irregularities and can’t address them, they should alert the police and magistrates for assistance. “If all else fails, they should vacate the polling station, and the election will be rescheduled,” the CEC said.