Dhaka, Dec. 18 -- Highlighting personal autonomy in the electoral process, Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Wednesday said that contesting an election depends entirely on the personal choice of a candidate.

He made the comments while responding to questions at the BKMEA office in Narayanganj regarding the withdrawal of BNP-nominated Narayanganj-5 candidate Masuduzzaman Masud, who cited security concerns.

"Security is a broad issue. You all have come here today-had you claimed there was a security crisis, you might not have come at all. This is a personal decision. Why he chose not to contest the election is his own matter, and perhaps investigative journalists can look into it," the adviser said.

At a press briefing at t...