I haven't changed my statement: Mahbub Talukder

Election commissioner Mahbub Talukder on Tuesday said he stands by his statement that the commission has been able to present the nation with a participatory election.

in an explanation claimed that there is no change in his stance over the December 30 general election.

The election commissioner said there emerged some confusions over his statement made at a programme of the commission on January 3 where he had said the commission hand presented a participatory polls.

‘What I had said, “We presented a participatory elections”. On December 17, 2018, I had said, “A participatory election means when all political parties contest an election. It has no link with a free and fair election. A participatory election is a primary achievement. The actual thing is whether the elections are acceptable and credible. If the election is not acceptable and credible, there will be nothing even if it is participatory.” the statement said.

Mahbub said he did not say anything on the credibility and acceptance of the election at a thanksgiving programme of the Election Commission.

Mahbub said when reporters asked him about how the election was, I had earlier told them “ask your conscience and you will get the answer”.

‘I still make the same statement. There is no change in my stance,’ he said.

He said the January 3 function was meant for thanksgiving and it is mere courtesy to thank someone with a praiseworthy comment. ‘It will not be right to analyse my speech of thanks politically,’ he concluded.