No unlawful directives to police ahead of polls: CEC

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin yesterday said the Election Commission would not issue any unlawful directives to law enforcers ahead of the local government elections, expressing full trust in the police.

He made the remarks at a press briefing after inaugurating a training programme titled “Enhancing Police Skills and Capacity for Professional Execution of Electoral Duties” at the Bangladesh Police Auditorium at Rajarbagh Police Lines in Dhaka.

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He said ensuring free and fair elections was a collective responsibility of the commission and other stakeholders.

The CEC said holding proper elections was both a constitutional and legal responsibility of the EC and the police.

Responding to a question on whether police could conduct local elections independently under a partisan government, Inspector General of Police Md Ali Hossain Fakir said, “Police will take all necessary measures, as advised by the Election Commission, to ensure fair elections.”

Asked whether police morale and image had been restored in the past six months, he said, “That is for the media and people to judge, but I believe our success is complete.”

Police said 38,847 members will receive training beginning September 16.