Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal commented that the suggestion to stand with a gun against someone with a sword in the election field was a joke. Expressing disappointment, he said, “If I could say goodbye today, it would be nice.”

Saiful Haque, general secretary of Revolutionary Workers Party, raised the issue of CEC’s sword-gun statement in a dialogue with the EC at the Agargaon election building in the capital on Monday. At this time, CEC Habibul Awal said these things. In a tone of despair, he said, ‘Today’s situation, if I could say goodbye today, it would be nice. All things on paper…. Paper will do it. I believe in the freedom of the media.

The CEC mentioned that in what context he spoke about that. NDM chairman Bobby Hajjaz mentioned the issue of weapons and said, “Then I said, you will also stand with one like this.” If they stand with swords, you stand with guns. Is it ever mined?’

Habibul Awal said, “Doesn’t a Chief Election Commissioner have any knowledge?” If this is true, I am liable under the Arms Act. The police will take me away in handcuffs. It should be understood, it is said from the heart, not jokingly said. The main news in the country’s papers. To put a man down. After that, there is no motivation to work. I don’t even want to.

CEC said that he stopped watching YouTube because of various criticisms in the media and social media. He said, ‘Today I have stopped YouTube. Whenever I see my picture, I understand that abuse will start with my father and grandfather. I don’t see it for this.’

At one point, CEC turned off his mic switch. After being silent for some time, he turned on the mic again. He said, ‘every moment it is being said that the floor is broken. It’s broken. But we support the media a lot. I believe in their freedom. We want everything to go to media. I did not come to the Election Commission expecting to get much. We are trying very hard. Many of our efforts go to waste. Again something useful. It doesn’t take anything. But I am working hard.