<div><b><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal has "categorically" said there is no pressure on the voters to go to vote centres to cast vote but pressure is seen regarding distribution of leaflets urging people not to go to vote centres.</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“There is no such pressure from the Election Commission, even he has no evidence of as such," Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen quoted the CEC as saying during a briefing arranged for the diplomats stationed in Dhaka on Thursday.</div><div><br></div><div>The CEC made remarks when one of the diplomats wanted to know his comments regarding pressure on voters to go to vote centres.</div><div><br></div><div>The CEC, however, gave a counter reply mentioning distribution of leaflets by a political party (BNP) which is boycotting polls and urging people not to go to vote centres.</div><div><br></div><div>The foreign secretary said over 50 diplomats and representatives from international organisations joined the briefing hosted by the Election Commission.</div><div><br></div><div>CEC Awal gave an update regarding preparations of January 7 polls which was followed by a question-and-answer session.</div><div><br></div><div>The foreign secretary said such a opportunity is rare for the foreign diplomats as national election takes place in every five years.</div><div><br></div><div>He hoped that the briefing will help the diplomats to let know their respective countries know about the election through their comprehensive reports, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>The diplomats remain in touch with the EC and they remain updated through frequent exchanges, Masud Momen said.</div><div><br></div><div>The diplomats are kept fully informed and that is why there were not too many questions, he said.</div><div><br></div><div>The foreign secretary said the international observers and journalists have started arriving in Dhaka.</div><div><br></div><div>They can observer polls in Dhaka and other places across the country if they feel convenient, he added.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div><div><br></div>