Direct political involvement by MPO-listed teachers is a major obstacle to a fair and neutral environment in educational institutions, the Election Commission (EC) has said. Although Jamaat-e-Islami has demanded that these teachers be allowed to run directly in elections, the commission has made clear its firm opposition to the idea.
Election Commissioner Anwarul Islam Sarkar shared this position while speaking with journalists at his office in Agargaon on Sunday.
The election commissioner said direct political involvement by MPO-listed teachers is harmful to the overall educational environment, severely compromising teachers’ neutrality. The EC made clear there is no room to reverse this position if a constructive environment in educational institutions is to be maintained.
Jamaat had alleged that the EC was under government pressure on the matter. Addressing this, Commissioner Anwarul Islam Sarkar said the baseless claim that the Election Commission is under government pressure is essentially a political tactic aimed at putting the commission under counter-pressure.
Speaking with journalists, the election commissioner also outlined technological and security preparations for upcoming elections, saying major preparations are underway for an IT-supported postal voting system to ease the process for voters in by-elections. CC cameras will be installed at all polling stations in local government elections to prevent rigging. The number of body-worn cameras for security personnel will be increased significantly, and drone technology will be used to prevent any disorder. He said the commission is committed to delivering a free, fair and credible election through adequate personnel deployment and by resolving infrastructural problems at polling stations.