Was no democratic path but to hold 5 Jan polls: Rakib

The outgoing chief election commissioner, Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad, on Wednesday said the 5 January election was necessary to avoid a constitutional chaos.

He said this at a press briefing at the new election commission building in the city.

Asked about no polls being held at 153 constituencies in the 5 January election, he said there is a law in this regard.

"If a particular party does not join the election, polls can still be held as per the law. It's a political game," he observed.

"You all are part of the successes we have achieved. My failures are solely my responsibility," he added.

The outgoing CEC, who was a deputy secretary and zonal administrative officer under the first Bangladesh government in Mujibnagar, will be replaced by former secretary KM Nurul Huda who will be sworn in on 15 February.