‘I haven’t changed my stance’

Credibility, acceptance vital for election: Mahbub

Credibility, acceptance vital for election: Mahbub

Citing confusion over his speech on the December 30 general polls, Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukder today cleared that he did not change his stance and that his “speech of thanks should not be taken in a political manner”.

He made the remarks in a statement written to clear his stance regarding his comment during a programme organised on January 3 to thank Election Commission officials where he said “we gifted participatory polls.”

The comment created a debate among the people as prior to the 11th national election Talukder told reporters that there was no level-playing field for the political parties.

The written statement is as follows:

“Several reporters asked me whether I changed my stance. So, it is necessary to clear the confusion”.

“On December 17, 2018, I said a participatory election means when all political parties participate in an election. It has no link with a free and fair election. A participatory election is a primary outcome. The main matter is whether the election is held acceptable and credible” the statement said.

“If the election is not held in an acceptable and credible manner, there will be no outcome even if it is participatory. I didn’t say anything on the credibility and acceptance of the national election at the programme. When reporters asked me how the election was, I had earlier said ‘ask your conscience and you will get the answer.”

“I have not changed my stance.”

“The programme on January 3 was a ceremony to give thanks. It is courtesy to thank someone with a praiseworthy comment. It is not correct to analyse my speech of thanks politically.”

YS