DHAKA, Dec 20, 2023 (BSS) - Showing reluctance over joining elections is a political strategy of any political party in a democratic country, said Election Commissioner Md Alamgir today.

"In a democratic country, if a political party does not want to participate in the election then that is their political strategy. It will not have any effect on the election," he told journalists at his office at the Nirbachan Bhaban in city's Agargaon area.

Reiterating that Bangladesh is a democratic country, he said anyone has the right not to join polls.

At the same time, they can also tell the voters to refrain from going to the polling stations and there is no problem in this, he said. 

Any kind of vandalism or incitement, resisting voting or preventing from going to the polling station and creating disorder shall not be allowed, he said.

Replying to another query, the election commissioner said if the prevalence of vandalism is compared to peace and order, then its level is negligible.

Mentioning that the few sabotage incidents are isolated ones, he said the law enforcement agencies as well as intelligence agencies are very active to tackle any situation.

Making chaos is an offence as per the Representation of the People Order (RPO) and the Code of Conduct, he said.

To take action against anyone involved in such crimes, a letter was given to the Ministry of Home Affairs, he added.