(BSS) - Election Commissioner Md Anwarul Islam Sarker today said an acceptable election must be presented to the nation by moving beyond the questionable election culture of the past.

"There is no alternative to fair, free and good elections if we want to erase the stigma of the past," he said while speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural session of a daylong workshop.

The workshop titled `Challenges of Polling Officials in the Election Process and Way Forward` was organized by the Election Commission Secretariat at the conference room of the Bangladesh Rural Development Academy (BARD), Cumilla.

The Election Commissioner said the upcoming 13th national election is very important in determining the country`s democracy and future leadership. He added that all concerned, including administration, police and field-level officials, must perform their duties with impartiality, courage and professionalism.

"No one can conduct a successful election alone - it requires the collective efforts of all," he said.

Addressing the presiding officers at the workshop, Anwarul said, "The responsibility of ensuring fair voting is in your hands. No kind of pressure, fear or influence can be tolerated while performing your duties. Election management is a responsibility towards the nation - it is a matter of honour, and you have to work with honesty and morality."

Joint Secretary of the Election Commission Secretariat Abdul Halim Khan, Cumilla Deputy Commissioner Amirul Kaiser, District Police Superintendent Nazir Ahmed Khan, Regional Election Officer Mohammad Azizul Islam and District Senior Election Officer Sheikh Mohammad Habibur Rahman spoke at the event.

Executive Officers, Assistant Returning Officers, Presiding Officers and concerned officials of various Upazilas of Cumilla participated in the workshop.