The Election Commission (EC) has instructed the Returning Officers to take steps to increase the number of voters in the upcoming 12th JS elections. The EC has also directed the Returning Officers not to do anything that is derogatory or prejudicial to the public.
This was stated in a circular signed by Deputy Secretary Atiyar Rahman of the election management branch of EC.
The purpose of Returning Officers is to act in accordance with laws and regulations to ensure that they do not act in a way that would bring discredit to the competent authorities or the local public and that they do not create the impression that they are biased.
In order to increase the number of voters, the EC has instructed the officials to organize a joint meeting with the district administration and upazila administration to encourage everyone to vote, and to keep in touch with the leaders of the local political parties.
In the circular, EC has instructed to work in the light of law, rules and code of conduct so that no influence or interference from any particular quarters can undermine the neutrality of elections.
The objective of the officials is also stated- not to act in a manner which may bring disrepute to the competent authorities or the local public and to ensure that they do not create the impression that they are biased, to act in accordance with the law and regulations.
According to the circular, intensive patrolling of law and order mobile units, strengthening of security measures in vulnerable areas and important polling stations and extensive pre-election publicity about the locations of polling stations after the finalization of the polling station list to create an assured environment for voters to come to the polling station smoothly and comfortably.