United News of Bangladesh

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on Wednesday said the law and order situation will continue to improve and everything will be in order before the voting day. “It will improve gradually. As the polling day approaches, you will see everything will fall in line. Everything will be fine,” he said, replying to a question if the election is possible amid the current law and order situation. He made the remarks while talking to reporters after inspecting an election-related training and mock exercise organised by the 5th Battalion of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) at Pilkhana in the capital. The CEC said, “I won’t say the law and order situation has reached a perfect level. You saw what the situation was on August 5, 2024. Now compare it with the current situation. Now you can sleep safely. You were able to come here safely. There was no difficulty on the way. So, it will improve further, gradually.” He said the Election Commission will sit again with law enforcement agencies on November 30 over specific proposals. “The development strategy will be finalised there." Nasir Uddin said law enforcement agencies are being deployed on the field with maximum preparedness to ensure a free, peaceful and neutral election. Don’t hire politically linked election observers: CEC Nasir “Today we saw a very well-conducted mock exercise here. It was fully designed considering our election culture. The training covered all conceivable dimensions of what usually happens during elections or how elections are conducted. I am very pleased,” he said. He said election duty does not come regularly — only once every four to five years — which is why the forces need special training. “BGB’s regular duties are in the border areas. We will provide election-related training to various law enforcement agencies,” he said, adding that Police are training their members at 130 centres based on election requirements. “We have earlier seen Ansar-VDP’s drills. They are undergoing training as well. This BGB exercise will play a very important role. They are preparing their members so they can perform their duties properly,” he said. The CEC said each law enforcement agency is responsibly preparing its members. “We expect this training will have a significant impact on maintaining election-time law and order. I hope all law enforcement agencies, journalists, and 130 million voters together will help us deliver a fair election.” About a political party’s announcement to resist the election, the CEC said, “All necessary steps will be taken against those who have announced resistance. Journalists, voters, and citizens — everyone must work together to prevent any unwanted situation.” Regarding the recent discussions about running the election by advisers of the interim government, he said it is a policy matter of the government. “The Election Commission will perform its duties according to the laws.” About risky polling stations, he said the EC has made a risk assessment. “Forces will be deployed according to three zones — red, yellow, and green,” he said. Commonwealth Secretary-General meets CEC, discusses election preparations Meanwhile, BGB informed that 1,210 platoons will be deployed nationwide during the upcoming 13th national election. BGB will carry out election duties in all upazilas across the country except Sandwip, Hatiya and Kutubdia. In 60 of the 115 border upazilas, BGB members will perform election duties independently. BGB Director General Major General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, senior BGB officers and EC officials were present at the mock exercise event.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has highlighted the importance of building institutional readiness, stressing that effective election management is the foundation of a credible democracy. The EC, with support from the United Nations, has launched a nationwide series of regional trainings aimed at strengthening the capacity of election officials in preparation for the upcoming national elections. “Through these training programmes, we are building not only skills but also the confidence and commitment needed to ensure free, fair and transparent elections,” said the CEC. He said this training marks a milestone in our preparation for the upcoming elections. “The practical modules will enable our officials to replicate lessons across the country, enhancing capacity and confidence at every level.” Next election to determine Bangladesh’s future direction: CEC The first of 10 three-day regional trainings concluded on November 7 in Dhaka, bringing together election officials from the region for hands-on sessions focused on crisis management, cybersecurity, gender equality, human rights and media and elections, said UNDP on Sunday. Senior Secretary of the Election Commission Akhtar Ahmed and Head of Office and Representative of UNESCO Dr Susan Vize, UN Women Representative Gitanjali Singh, UNDP Resident Representative, Sonali Dayaratne, were present. The training is part of the UN Electoral Assistance BALLOT and DRIP projects, implemented jointly with UNDP, UN Women and UNESCO. The nationwide training series will continue in nine other regions over the next several weeks, reaching hundreds of EC officials. The initiative, UNDP said, reflects the Election Commission’s strong commitment to professionalism, inclusion, and transparency in the electoral process, ensuring that every vote counts and every voice matters. BNP to meet CEC Thursday to raise concerns over EC’s neutrality

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin said on Sunday that the Election Commission is making strong progress to ensure a free, fair and credible national election. “We have already moved far ahead in making the necessary preparations for holding this election in a fair and proper manner,” he said while addressing a dialogue with civil society representatives at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city’s Agargaon area in the morning. With the talks started at 10:40am, the Election Commission opened a series of dialogues with different stakeholders ahead of the next general election planned to be held in early February 2026. “We are committed to delivering a free, fair and credible election. Our honourable Chief Adviser has also expressed the same,” said the CEC. Focusing on the progress of electoral preparations, Nasir Uddin said since assuming office on November 24, 2024, the current Commission has completed a number of tasks keeping eye on the upcoming 13th parliamentary polls. The Commission has updated the voter list, amended the RPO (Representation of the People Order) and revised the electoral code of conduct. The EC worked on amendments on a total of nine laws. “Our procurement process has also advanced,” he added. Turning to the EC’s dialogue, the CEC said, “We sincerely believe that today’s discussion will play an important role in making the upcoming election fair, beautiful and acceptable.” No illegal orders or favouritism to be there in Feb polls: CEC On the postal balloting system for expatriate Bangladeshis, he said there has been a postal balloting system in the law. “It has been in the book, but not in practice,” he said. Although the rights of expatriates were recognised in the past, no effective mechanism existed for them to exercise their franchise, said the CEC. “We are now working vigorously to introduce IT-supported postal ballots for expatriates. After extensive studies and research, the Commission has developed the IT-supported postal ballot system,” he said. Nasir Uddin added that the Commission is working on arrangements for out-of-country voting as well as ensuring the franchise of those engaged in election duty on polling day. “Almost a million people are involved in the electoral process. They cannot vote. Returning officers and presiding officers cannot vote. We will address it, Inshallah, and ensure the voting rights of all,” he assured. He said arrangements will also be made for prisoners, government officials away from their constituencies during polling. These initiatives will become milestones for the Election Commission, he added. Preparations going on in full swing for February polls: CEC Election commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida Ahmad, Md Anwarul Islam Sarker and Brig Gen (retd) Abdul Fazal Md Sanaullah were present at the discussion moderated by EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed. Among the representatives of the civil society, former caretaker government adviser Rasheda K Chowdhury, former ambassador M Humayun Kabir, Dhaka University’s Mass Communication and Journalism Professor Robaet Ferdous, Vice Chancellor of Chittagong University Dr Muhammad Yeahia Akhter, Osmani Centre for Peace and Security Studies Lt Gen (Retd) Md Mahfuzur Rahman and Police Reform Commission member (Student representative) Zarif Rahman attended the dialogue. Later in the afternoon, the Commission will hold talks with eminent educationists and professors at the same venue. PR system possible if only law is amended: CEC Nasir In the electoral roadmap unveiled last month, the Commission said the dialogues with stakeholders—including political parties, civil society members, media persons, observers, election experts and July movement activists—would begin in the last week of September and be completed within one and a half months.

The Election Commission on Sunday opened a series of dialogues with different stakeholders amid the talks with civil society members ahead of the next general election planned to be held in early February 2026. The talks with the civil society members started at around 10:40am at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city's Agargaon area with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin in the chair. Election commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida Ahmad, Md Anwarul Islam Sarker and Brig Gen (retd) Abdul Fazal Md Sanaullah and EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, are present. EC to bar officials involved in past election irregularities: Commissioner Anwarul Later in the afternoon, the Commission will hold talks with eminent educationists and professors at 2:30pm at the same venue. The sessions are being broadcast live on the EC’s official YouTube channel @BangladeshECS and its official Facebook page ‘Bangladesh Election Commission Secretariat’. In the electoral roadmap unveiled last month, the Commission said the dialogues with stakeholders, including political parties, civil society members, media persons, observers, election experts and July movement activists, would begin in the last week of September and be completed within one and a half months.

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin said they will strongly urge the government to keep the national identity (NID) services under the Election Commission's control. “We will strongly voice our opinions in the law-making process. Wherever opinions are needed, we will give (opinions). Our entire commission wants this,” he said. The CEC said this while talking to reporters following a sit-in programme of EC employees and officials in front of his office room at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the city. The EC staff were protesting a fresh move initiated by the current government to enact a law for bringing a number of civic services, including birth registration and national identity registration services, under a single entity named the ‘Civil Registration Commission’. They also gave a seven-day ultimatum to go on fresh programme unless any visible step is taken to over the issue by March 12. Election Commission committed to holding credible polls: CEC Nasir Uddin said he did not hear that the government had already finalised its decision to remove the NID operation from the Election Commission rather there have been discussions. “We will inform the government in writing that it should stay under the EC. We will inform the government on an urgent basis," he said. Earlier, a meeting of the inter-ministerial committee was held in the Cabinet Division on Monday (March 3) to review the draft of the 'Civil Registration (Commission) Ordinance, 2025'. A representative from the EC Secretariat was also present at the additional secretary-level meeting. In 2023, the previous Awami League government enacted the National Identity Registration Act, 2023 to transfer the national identity registration operation from the Election Commission to the Security Services Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Voters in Bangladesh now stand at 123.7 million: CEC But the Election Commission Secretariat has written to the interim government to repeal the law following the July mass uprising that toppled Sheikh Hasina’s regime. Replying to a question, the CEC said he heard that the government perhaps was thinking to provide all kinds of services from one place but the NID services will remain under the jurisdiction of the Election Commission, he said. Nasir Uddin said NID is a byproduct of voter registration operation and the EC officials have worked hard for 17 years, developing the NID network across the country. “The government will definitely take all the issues into consideration. There may be a gap in information. After receiving the written opinion of the commission, this gap will definitely not be there,” he said. He said their position on this matter is clear and they are working on the basis of everyone's consent. The CEC, however, said: “I am not the ultimate decision maker. I represent the EC…I can speak on behalf of the EC. I can create a position before the government....we are a constitutional body. If the government makes a law, we have to obey the law. But we will urgently raise our opinion in the law-making process." About the EC officials’ concern and programme, Director General of Electoral Training Institute SM Asaduzzaman expected that the commission would take all initiatives to ensure that the NID operation is not shifted from the EC. “If so, we will be with the EC,” he said. He said if the NID operation would go from the EC’s jurisdiction, the elections would be under threat. “We have submitted a memorandum (to the CEC) expressing our concerns,” he said. Convener of Bangladesh Election Commission Officers Association Mohammad Monir Hossain said there were several attempts before on several occasions to move the NID services from the EC’s authority. Last time, there was an attempt to shift the NID to under the authority of the home ministry but this time the attempt is to take it under a new commission. “We think that these things are being done for some purposes. We have announced a programme on behalf of the association,” he said. Noting that there has been no problem with the NID operation under the EC’s authority for 17-18 years, the EC official said, "Today, we believe that no such environment has been created, the NID should be taken to somewhere else from the EC.” “We have informed the commission, given time, and expect visible progress by next Wednesday. Otherwise, officials and employees across the country, including the EC Secretariat, will go form human chains from 11 am to 1 pm on March 13. Even then if our demands are not met, we will go on a more stringent programme, including a work abstention," said Monir Hossain. Read Smart NID Card in Bangladesh: Online Application Process, Documents Needed, Fees

The total number of voters in the country now stands at 123,732,274, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin announced on Sunday. The CEC disclosed the updated statistics while inaugurating a vibrant rally in front of Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital, marking National Voter Day 2025. As per tradition, the final updated voter list is published on March 2 every year, coinciding with the observance of National Voter Day. However, this year's voter list updating process, which began on January 20, is still going on. Election Commission extends voter list updating deadline During the event, the CEC reiterated the Election Commission’s commitment to conducting free, fair and credible elections, seeking cooperation from all stakeholders to achieve this goal.

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Monday hinted that holding local government elections before next June is unlikely, as the voter list updating programme is still ongoing. “Our target is the national election in December. If it is to be held in December, we must announce the election schedule in October,” he said. The CEC made the remarks while addressing a function organised by the Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy (RFED) at the Electoral Training Institute in the capital. Hold national election without delay, Fakhrul urges govt  He noted that the voter list updating programme is currently in progress and will be completed by June. “If local government elections are held now, they will have to be conducted with 1.6 million deceased voters on the list while excluding new voters,” he added.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has said that the Election Commission (EC) does not intend to take a stance for or against any political party. “We, who are in the commission, do not want to engage in politics… we do not want to support or oppose any political party… we want to remain neutral,” he said on Sunday. The CEC made the remarks while addressing a function at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital. The Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy (RFED) organised the event to distribute the Journalist Hossain Zakir Best Reporting Award-2024. EU assures support, emphasises reform ahead of Bangladesh election: CEC Seeking cooperation from journalists in ensuring a free election, the CEC identified political control over the Election Commission as the main reason behind the criticism of its role. “This is the biggest reason why the Election Commission has been subjected to political control. If the influence of politicians on the EC cannot be stopped, the same old issues will persist. There may be thousands of reasons, but I believe political control over the EC is the most significant factor,” he said. Voting rights to be restored at any cost: CEC The CEC reiterated the commission’s commitment to holding a free and fair election. “We are committed to holding a free and fair election. But it won’t be possible for us alone unless we receive cooperation from all segments of society,” he added.

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin has said the reform of electoral laws and rules and other necessary works must be completed by October next to hold the 13th parliamentary election in December next. “To conduct the election in December, I have to be fully prepared with everything by October, completing whatever necessary (for the election). I’ve to announce the schedule at the end of October,” he said on Sunday. AL won’t be allowed to contest elections: Mahfuj Alam The CEC made the remark while addressing a dialogue titled ‘RFED Talk’ with Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy-RFED at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital. He said the election commission needs to announce the election schedule at least two months or one and half a month before an election. UK NRB Society concerned over potential Sylhet-Manchester flight suspension The submission of the nomination papers, scrutiny of nomination papers, withdrawal of candidacy, settlement of appeals against the decisions of returning officers, and giving at least 21 days for election campaign are to be considered during the announcement of an election schedule, he said. “If the election is to be held in December, then there must be an arrangement so that I can prepare by October. And if it says in the middle that new law or reform is to be made, then it will be a big challenge for me. It will be a big challenge not only for me but also for anyone because of time constraints,” said Nasir Uddin. Rizvi compares call for reforms before elections to AL putting development before democracy He focused on different issues, including registration of political parties and delimitation of constituencies.

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin has said that the voting rights of people will be restored at any cost. "People have lost interest in voting due to the lack of opportunities, and we aim to address their regrets," he said while inaugurating the voter list updating programme-2025 at the Savar Upazila Parishad auditorium on Monday morning. The CEC said that the voting rights will be realised when common people will be able to vote for their preferred candidate without fear. During the event, election commissioners urged data collectors to remain vigilant, as the number of female voters in the latest update programme was alarmingly low. They have also warned against voters who vote in two places simultaneously. The door-to-door data collection campaign will continue till February 3 and the collection of biometric data of the eligible voters will be taken from February 5 to April 11. During the field-level data collection campaign, enumerators will collect the data of eligible voters who were born on and before January 1, 2008. Read: No conflict between reform and election: Fakhrul Besides, the enumerators will collect applications from the existing voters who intended to change voting addresses and the data of deceased voters for dropping their names from the voter list. According to the Electoral Training Institute, more than 66,000 people have already received training over the voter listing updating programme. The trained people include 55,016 enumerators and 11,801 supervisors. The EC will publish the draft updated electoral rolls incorporating the names of new voters on January 2, 2026. Following the resettlement of claims and objections, the commission will make the final electoral rolls on March 2, 2026. The Election Commission has recently issued a notification with 16 instructions for the officials and enumerators who will be engaged in the data collection drive. Read more: Main goal is to ensure free, fair election: EC Sanaullah The instructions include collection of data of those persons who had been born on and before January 1, 2008 but have remained out of the voter lists, ascertaining if such persons became voters in the past, writing proper spelling of names of possible voters in both Bangla and English and being careful so that the data of Rohingyas and foreign nationals could no way be collected. According to the existing voter lists (published on March 2, 2024), there are 121.85 million (121,850,160) voters in the country.