Dhaka: Jatiya Oikyafront chief Dr Kamal Hossain on Saturday urged the Election Commission and election officials, including returning officers and assistant returning officers, to ensure the environment so that people can exercise their franchise in Sunday’s election.

‘Returning officers, assistant returning officers and others involved in the election activities are respected persons. If you discharge your duties properly, it’ll increase your dignity. The success of your duties will be determined by the smile on the faces of voters,’ he said, reports the UNB.

Addressing a press conference at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU), Dr Kamal further said, ‘If you snatch anyone’s right, remember that someone else is taking away the right of your father, mother, wife and children. If you do this, people, history and the law won’t forgive you.’

He urged people to go to polling centres across the country in the morning to cast their votes. ‘I urge the respected voters, please go to polling stations in the morning and cast your votes. Don’t get scared. If you go (to voting centres), miscreants will flee... they can’t overpower people’s strength,’ he said.

The Oikyafront chief also urged the young voters to go to polling stations in time to exercise their franchise. ‘Keep in mind you’re finished if you fear, you’re Bangladesh if you resist.’

Claiming that people have much fear and apprehensions in their mind over the election, Dr Kamal said this needs to be removed. ‘Now there should have been a festivity, but there’re much fear and apprehension in public mind,’ he said.

The 11th national election of the country is set to be held from 8:00am to 4:00pm on Sunday without any break amid tight security.