Dhaka: Outgoing Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad today said the Election Commission (EC) tried their level best to do the constitutional task despite different barriers. 

"When we assumed office, we had a commitment to ensure all elections in a free, fair and neutral manner. We tried to do our level best facing all sorts of difficulties," Ahmad said as he made a farewell call on President Md. Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban leading a six-member delegation of the EC secretariat.

Outgoing Election Commissioners Mohammad Abdul Mobarrak, Mohammad Abu Hafiz, Brigadier General (Retd) Md Jabed Ali and Md Shah Newaz and EC Secretary Mohammad Abdullah were on the delegation. 

President's Press Secretary Joynal Abedin briefed the media after the meeting this afternoon. 

The outgoing EC members informed the President of overall activities of the Election Commission Secretariat, the Press Secretary added.

Rakibuddin Ahmad said they are clear to their conscience that all the elections held during their tenure were free, fair and neutral.

The CEC thanked the President and mass people to provide all necessary cooperation to the EC for smooth holding of the polls during the tenure.

The election commissioners also greeted the President for his time-befitting directives and for encouraging them to work in line with the election code of conduct during the outgoing commission's tenure.

The President thanked the outgoing Election Commission for working courageously to hold the elections in a free, fair and neutral manner.

Apart from the role of election commission, President Hamid said, cooperation of the political parties and mass people is a must to ensure a free, fair and credible election.

Meanwhile, in line with a constitutional provision, a gazette notification was issued last night on the appointment of new CEC KM Nurul Huda and four election commissioners including one woman for the first time. 

They four are: former Additional Secretary Mahbub Talukder, ex-secretary Md Rafiqul Islam, former district and sessions Judge Begum Kabita Khanam and Brigadier General (Retd) Shahadat Hossain Chowdhury.