Free and fair polls is must to save economy: CEC

"It is very unfortunate that some specific foreign countries are continuously exerting pressure on Bangladesh centring polls," Chief Ellection commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal says.

12th parliamentary polls must be free and fair for the welfare of the country's economy and future, CEC Kazi Habibul Awal said today.

"We want free, fair and credible polls. Unfortunately, some foreign countries are extending their claws on Bangladesh, dominating the country centering the polls." he said while inaugurating a training programme for the electoral enquiry committee at the Electoral Training Institute in the capital.

"To save ourselves, the garment sector and the people, the upcoming election must be free, fair and credible. Both the general People and the foreigners want such an election," he expressed.

Chief Election commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal added, "The country is in "crisis" over the election. There is doubt regarding trust. We need to come out from it. Everybody must discharge their duties very responsibly."

He said that the Election Commission wanted a fair election with no controversy result.

The US declared, "If anybody is responsible for undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh then they would impose visa restrictions on individuals and their immediate family members .

This year in September, Washington told, they had started applying the restrictions, but they would not reveal the names of people who are facing the curbs.