DHAKA  – Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda today said a level playing field is existing for all political parties in the country and it will continue in future.

“I hope BNP will take part in the next parliament elections. I am optimistic that the polls will be held with the participation of all parties as there is a level playing field for all parties and it will be continuing in future,” he told reporters after a coordination meeting with the law enforcement agencies at Nirbachan Bhabn in the city’s Agargaon.

The meeting was held on the law and order of the upcoming city polls in Rajshahi, Sylhet and Barisal.

About BNP chief Begum Khaleda Zia’s participation in next polls, Huda said it is a matter of the court.

“The court will look into the issue whether BNP Chairperson Begum Zia can take part in the next polls or not…We have nothing to do or say on this issue,” he added.

The CEC said, “We have directed the law enforcers to maintain the law and order in three city polls areas. We have heard their suggestions and I hope that the three city corporation polls will be completed in a peaceful manner.”

He said there is no need to take additional preparations centering the three city polls. The polls will be held as per election procedure, he added.

Huda said, “We will do everything for the three city polls so that those cannot be questionable as these three polls will be held ahead of the general elections.”

“The law enforcement agencies informed us about the environment of the city polls areas and they (law enforcers) hope that there is no risk or unstable situation in those areas,” he added.

Election Commissioners Mahbub Talukder, Md Rafiqul Islam, Kabita Khanam and Brigadier General (Retd.) Shahdat Hossain, Secretary to the EC Helal Uddin Ahmed and inspector general (IG) of police, director general (DG) of RAB, divisional commissioners of Rajshahi, Sylhet and Barisal and the returning officers concerned were present in the meeting.

As per schedule, the three city polls will be held on July 30.