United News of Bangladesh

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has said former Justice and Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Md Abdur Rouf would repeatedly be referred to as an example in Bangladesh's democratic journey and he would live forever in the hearts of the people of the country through his work. In a condolence message on Sunday, Dr Yunus recalled Justice Rouf's contribution to the country's return to democracy after assuming the charge of Chief Election Commissioner following the fall of dictator Ershad on December 6, 1990 in the face of mass uprising. The Chief Adviser also said Justice Rouf was a great pillar of civil society and worked tirelessly for ensuring rights to vote, reform and democracy which the nation will remember with due respect. The Chief Adviser expressed deep shock and sorrow over Justice Rouf’s death. Dr Yunus prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and expressed his deepest condolences to his bereaved family members. Justice Rouf breathed his last at 10am on Sunday while receiving treatment at the Intensive Care Unit at private Insaf Barakah Kidney and General Hospital Dhaka, said his personal assistant Md Tawhid. He was 95. As per the family's wish, Rouf will be laid to rest in his ancestral home in Mymensingh after official procedures in Dhaka, said Tawhid. Rouf played a role as the 5th CEC after the fall of HM Ershad regime in the 1990s. Read: Enam Ahmed Chowdhury passes away Following the formation of Bangladesh's first caretaker government, headed by Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed, Justice Rouf was appointed as the CEC. For the first time during the interim government's tenure, Bangladesh had a three-member Election Commission (EC). Justice Rouf joined as the CEC the day after Justice Sultan Hossain Khan’s resignation. Under Justice Rouf’s leadership, the 5th parliamentary election was held on February 27, 1991, with BNP and Awami League 140 and 88 securing seats respectively. The Rouf Commission, during the caretaker government’s tenure, made significant reforms to the electoral law and issued the Election Officer (Special Provision) Ordinance. On April 18, 1995, Justice Abdur Rouf resigned from the position of CEC and returned to his position as an HC judge. He was appointed as a judge of the Appellate Division in June 1995 and retired on February 1, 1999. Read more: Ex-army chief KM Shafiullah passes away After retirement, he served as Shariah adviser for Fareast Islami Life Insurance Company Ltd and Prime Islamic Life Insurance Company. He also served as the central president of the national children and youth organisation, ‘Phulkuri Ashar.'

The Election Commission (EC), under the stewardship of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin, has embarked on preparations for the nation’s 13th parliamentary election, setting the wheels in motion for what it promises to be a festival time in the country's democratic journey. In a decisive move, the EC has instructed its officials to initiate the procurement process for critical election materials. Plans are also underway to fast-track the door-to-door data collection drive, starting in January instead of March, to ensure an updated and robust electoral roll. US welcomes Interim Government’s steps toward election readiness These resolutions emerged from an impromptu meeting of the commission, presided over by the CEC on Thursday. The session delved into key issues, including voter list updates, constituency delimitation and the procurement of election essentials. Streamlined Procurement Timeline With swift execution, the EC feels that its secretariat could secure all necessary materials within six to seven months. Officials emphasised the need for meticulous planning to adhere to the timeline. Early or late? Chief Adviser’s election hint triggers mixed BNP reactions The meeting detailed the inventory required for the election, which includes transparent ballot boxes, indelible ink pens, official and marking seals, stamp pads, chargers, and other essentials. A review of the existing stocks against projected requirements underscored the urgency of the procurement process. Indelible ink, a crucial component, must be imported and typically requires up to 70 days for delivery. But the EC noted that some contractors have expedited the process in the past, raising hopes for an efficient turnaround. Aligning with Election Timeline Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus recently suggested that the 13th general election could be held in late 2025 or early 2026. Will be fully prepared to hold elections as per timeframe : CEC Responding to this, CEC AMM Nasir Uddin instructed EC officials to align preparations with this projected timeline. "We will be fully prepared to hold the election as per the timeframe suggested by the Honourable Chief Adviser," the CEC affirmed, exuding confidence in the EC’s ability to meet the challenge. Accelerating Voter List Updates The EC is also poised to expedite the annual update of the voter list. Traditionally, a draft list is published on January 2, inviting public feedback. Any complaints are resolved before the final list is released on March 2. BNP hopes election to be arranged soon The proposed early start to the data collection campaign reflects the EC's commitment to ensuring an accurate and inclusive voter list. Thursday’s meeting was attended by four election commissioners and senior EC officials, who pledged their collective efforts to ensure smooth preparations for the upcoming national elections.