<div style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen reiterated his government determination to hold free, fair elections in Bangladesh as he briefed media about Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s daily engagements on 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session’s sidelines here on Monday.</span><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">“To hold a free, fair and non-violent election, all irrespective of political affiliation should exhibit topmost sincerity. InshaAllah, we will be able to hold a free and fair election if everything goes accordingly,” he said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Replying to a question, Momen said that they are taking all preparations to set an example holding the next general election in a free and fair manner.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">To hold the polls in a neutral manner, he said that the Election Commission (EC) was given absolute authority.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The foreign minister said the EC is constituted under a law and the prime minister doesn’t appoint election commissioners.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Even, the president and the prime minister can’t remove the election commissioners. The EC can suspend, terminate or punish any government employee if they are found involved in irregularities,” he added.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In case of vote rigging, the EC can also cancel the vote of a polling station, he said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">“The Election Commission has been given absolute authority (regarding election),” he added. BSS</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>