United News of Bangladesh

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Monday said his commission didn't work with any particular ‘design’ to conduct the 13th parliamentary election held on February 12. “We didn't work with any design. Our design was only to hold a free, fair and credible election,” he said. The CEC made the remarks, while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the newly elected Executive Committee of Reporters' Forum for Election and Democracy (RFED) at the Electoral Training Institute (ETI) in the city's Agargaon area. Nasir Uddin said they received full support and cooperation from the interim government during the February-12 general election. The Election Commission faced no interference from the then interim government during the parliamentary election, he added. He said the chief adviser of the former interim government asked his administration not to interfere in the activities of the Election Commission at that time. About the upcoming local government elections, the CEC stressed the need for full cooperation from political parties for fair and peaceful elections. He asked the political parties, if necessary, to sit in discussions for the sake of holding the local government elections in peaceful and fair manners. “We want to establish a culture of good elections,” he said. About the tentative timetable for the local body polls, Nasir Uddin said the timetable has not been finalised yet and the EC is now working on amendments to rules and electoral codes now. Responding to allegations of ‘election engineering’ raised at the same event by National Citizen Party (NCP) Chief Coordinator Nasir Uddin Patwary, the CEC said Patwary is known for his outspoken remarks and the commission has become accustomed to hearing such remarks from him. “We’ve developed a kind of resistance hearing such remarks from him. During the election, he often met us and criticised us, just going outside the door…. Believe me, I sincerely say that I didn’t feel even the slightest hurt,” the CEC said.  Speaking about the journalists, Nasir Uddin said the commission tried to extend as much freedom as possible to the media during the February election, as it had “nothing to hide.” “We tried to give you as much freedom as possible because we had nothing to conceal,” he said. The CEC also said the commission maintained the same policy for all political parties, regardless of whether they were small, medium or large. At the event, ruling party Whip Mia Nuruddin Ahmed Opu praised the Election Commission for conducting what he described as a credible election, while Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad and NCP Chief Coordinator Nasir Uddin Patwary criticised different aspects of the polls. Mia Nuruddin Ahammed Opu said the February election reflected the aspirations of the people and described it as one of the most inclusive and widely credible elections in the country’s history. “After people had been deprived of voting rights in the previous three elections, the current Election Commission gave the country an acceptable electoral system,” he said. Jamaat leader Hamidur Rahman Azad acknowledged what he described as greater transparency at the policy level and noted qualitative improvements in voter participation, particularly among first-time voters, but not in publication of election results. “There has been a qualitative change in the election. Voters went to polling stations and cast ballots, especially new voters who were able to vote for the first time,” he said. However, he said some flaws in the election process should also be acknowledged to avoid hiding the truth. Azad said more political parties participated in the latest election than in previous polls, although the Awami League could not join due to legal reasons. “This time we witnessed no violence in the polling stations,” he said. “Only casting votes is not enough for fair election, the fair process also should be maintained in the declaration of election results,” said the Jamaat leader. About the local government elections, he urged the Election Commission to address shortcomings and ensure that the polls do not witness violence or political interference similar to what he termed the “fascist era.” Meanwhile, NCP Chief Coordinator Nasir Uddin Patwary said bringing changes in the EC from top to bottom is his first target. "Bangladesh has witnessed how the DGFI, NSI and other intelligence agencies can engineer an election nakedly in the DC offices on election day," he said. Referring to a previous remark by an election commissioner that loan defaulters had been allowed to contest the election “with a heavy heart,” Patwary said the EC can’t violate the Constitution even with a heavy heart. “It is your commitment that you don’t allow them,” he said. Four election commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida Ahmad, Anwarul Islam Sarker and Brig Gen (Retd) Abdul Fazal Md Sanaullah, President of the National Press Club Hasan Hafiz, RFED newly elected President Kazi Amad Uddin Jabel and general secretary Ekram-Udd Dowla, among others, were present in the event.    

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Wednesday reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to delivering a peaceful, credible and participatory election. “As we approach the election day that is tomorrow, I wish to reaffirm the election commission's unwavering commitment to delivering a peaceful, credible and participatory election,”  he said while briefing international election observers and foreign journalists in the city. The briefing was arranged at a city hotel on the eve of the Referendum 2026 and 13th Parliamentary Election to be held on Thursday (Feb 12). The CEC said transparency in the voting and counting process will be ensured. “Voters irrespective of gender, age or background are encouraged to participate freely,” he said. The CEC said ballots are issued only after proper identification and voting is conducted in secrecy in accordance with the prescribed rules. Any electoral dispute will be addressed strictly in accordance with established legal and constitutional procedures, he added. “Transparency remains a cornerstone of our election management,” he said, adding that  approximately 330 international observers and more than 160 international journalists are independently covering the elections. Nasir Uddin said from the very first day of his commission’s journey, they have prioritized transparency. Pointing at the observers and journalists, he said, “Your engagement is profoundly meaningful for ensuring the highest level of clarity and public confidence in this election.” 394 foreign observers, 197 foreign journalists to monitor Bangladesh  elections Four election commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida Ahmad, Anwarul Islam Sarker and Brig Gen (Retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah, and EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed were present. The CEC said the electoral process is free, fair, impartial and credible. The Commission’s preparations have followed a coordinated and multi-dimensional approach encompassing legal reform, institutional readiness, stakeholder consultations and operational planning, he said. Noting that special emphasis was placed on voter registration, he said, “Through a nationwide voter list update, approximately 4.5 million new voters have been enrolled, including 2.7 million women, bringing the total number of registered voters to over 127 million with a high level of data accuracy.” About the postal balloting system, Nasir Uddin said for the first time, the commission has introduced out of country voting through it supported postal ballots for Bangladesh diaspora voters. “Despite a limited preparation and outreach period, the response has been encouraging with approximately 0.8 million expatriate voters completing registration,” he said. At the same time, in-country postal voting has been undertaken for eligible categories of voters, he added. “All operational arrangements have been finalized,” he said, adding that all electoral materials including ballot papers have already been distributed to the returning officers for the respective constituencies and the ballot papers are currently being distributed to the polling centers. “Voting will take place in a single day beginning at 7:30am in the morning and concluding at 4:30pm in the afternoon,” said the CEC. Explaining the polling process, he said the presiding officers assisted by assistant presiding officers and polling officers will manage polling operations and vote-counting at the polling stations in the presence of candidates or their authorized agents as well as accredited observers and journalists. After the close of polling, counting will be conducted at the polling stations under the supervision of the presiding officers, he said. “Results will be announced at the polling stations upon completion of counting and subsequently compiled and publicly declared by the returning officers,” Nasir Uddin said.

The Election Commission (EC) on Sunday upheld the candidacy of BNP candidate Mohammad Aslam Chowdhury (Chattogram-4) and rejected the nominations of BNP candidate for Chattogram-2 Sarwar Alamgir and its Cumilla-10 candidate  Abdul Gofur Bhuiyan . The Election Commission rejected appeals from several banks seeking to cancel Aslam Chowdhury’s candidacy over alleged loan defaults. The Commission, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, passed the order in the afternoon, hearing the petitions filed by Trust Bank, Bank Asia and Jamuna Bank. Aslam Chowdhury was a borrower from Trust Bank, while he was a guarantor over loans taken from two other banks. Cumilla-10 BNP candidate Gofur also loses candidacy Besides, BNP candidate for Chattogram-2 Sarwar Alamgir lost his candidacy following the hearing of an appeal petition by the Election Commission. The EC rejected the nomination of BNP candidate Sarwar Alamgir on the ground of loan default, accepting an appeal petition filed by his rival Jamaat candidate Nurul Amin in the same constituency. The Commission heard the petition and passed the order in the afternoon, declaring that Sarwar Alamgir’s nomination was cancelled. Earlier, the returning officer accepted his nomination declaring him as a valid candidate in the upcoming national election scheduled for February 12 next. BNP candidate for Cumilla-10 Abdul Gofur Bhuiyan  also lost his candidacy following the hearing of an appeal petition by the Election Commission. Chattogram-2 BNP candidate loses candidacy The EC rejected the nomination of the BNP candidate on grounds of dual citizenship, accepting an appeal petition filed by Sanskrit Muktijote candidate Kazi Nurse Alam Siddique in the same constituency. The Commission heard the petition and passed the order in the afternoon. The petitioner alleged that Gofur Bhuiyan is an US citizen and he holds an American passport. However, Gofur Bhuiyan or anyone on his behalf was not presented during the hearing Earlier, the returning officer accepted his nomination declaring him as a valid candidate in the upcoming national election scheduled for February 12 next. EC upholds BNP candidate Aslam Chy’s nomination in Ctg-4 The EC as the Electoral Appeal Tribunal on January 10 started hearing and disposal of the appeal petitions filed by aggrieved persons against the decisions of the returning officers over the acceptance and the cancellation of nomination papers. The Commission will settle all the 645 appeals by today (Sunday).

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on Saturday said that the next national election is likely to be held in the first half of February, as the Election Commission (EC) intensifies preparations across the country. Talking to reporters on Saturday afternoon following a meeting with the Rangpur divisional administration, the CEC said the Commission is actively coordinating with divisional and local election officials to ensure smooth holding of the polls. He warned that voting in any constituency will be suspended immediately if disorder breaks out at any polling centre. “No kind of chaos will be tolerated,” he said, adding that any official accused of irregularities, corruption, or bribery will be barred from election duties. The CEC also said that action will be taken against all presiding officers found responsible for misconduct during the previous election. Admitting that public trust in the electoral process has eroded, he acknowledged that an encouraging voter turnout remains a significant challenge. “Restoring confidence in the system and bringing people to the polling centres is a major task ahead,” he said. While the election schedule will not be announced yet, the CEC indicated that the date will be declared two months in advance. Election schedule likely in early December: Sanaullah Preparations are underway to hold the polls within a short timeline, he said. The Election Commission is working to ensure a credible election through the joint efforts of the Commission, presiding officers and the administration, aiming to restore the public's lost trust in the electoral process, the CEC said. Commenting on the overall security situation, he said the law-and-order situation is satisfactory. “We want to see it improve even further so that people can come to polling stations and vote peacefully without fear.” He said the voter apathy has become a serious concern. “People have forgotten to go to polling centres. On the election day, many choose to stay home, believing their votes won’t make a difference or that someone else will cast their vote. This kind of mindset has developed. Overcoming it is a major challenge for us, and we are actively working to change it.” Ensuring fair election now top priority: Prof Yunus He emphasised the importance of public awareness and sought the cooperation of journalists in this regard. “Creating awareness is crucial, and journalists have a key role to play. We seek their cooperation and welcome their advice.” About the challenges posed by misinformation and digital content, the CEC said the misuse of AI has become more dangerous than weapons. “It's a misuse of intelligence and a serious challenge. We don’t see professional journalists as a threat. In fact, we expect them to stand by us and help ensure a transparent election. But there are problems with untrained, unethical individuals who spread misinformation via Facebook and other platforms.” Some unethical content creators make misleading videos about me and the Chief Adviser. Many people watch these at night without verification and misunderstand the situation. CEC Nasir Uddin urged everyone not to share such content without checking its authenticity. He called for the media's support in combating misinformation and reiterated that the Commission is taking necessary steps to prevent the spread of harmful content. Next year’s election to mark major test for post-Hasina Bangladesh: Kugelman The CEC also said that people, including presiding and administrative officials, who were previously involved in misconduct during the past elections will be kept away from the upcoming polls. Expressing his firm commitment, he said the Election Commission will remain neutral, working neither for nor against any party, but for the country’s 180 million people. Highlighting the significance of voting, he added, “Voting is not only a civic responsibility, but also a moral and religious duty.” The CEC assured that maximum efforts are being made to ensure that the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election is conducted in a transparent, free, and fair manner. Earlier in the day, the CEC held a coordination meeting with the regional election officers of Rangpur, along with district and upazila ones, at the Regional Election Office, as part of the Commission’s groundwork for the 13th parliamentary election. Nasir Uddin is currently in Rangpur on a three-day visit to meet with election-related officials, including field administrators and law enforcement agencies, as part of the Election Commission’s preparations for the upcoming national polls.  

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Tuesday said the Election Commission’s initiatives to facilitate expatriate voting will prove ineffective without the active support of political parties. “We want to introduce a feasible option. We seek your support. Even on a small scale, we want to begin the journey…if political leaders do not support us, all our exercises will end in futility,” he said while inaugurating a seminar at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the morning. The Election Commission arranged the seminar on voting from abroad in a bid to find an effective mechanism to ensure the voting rights of expatriate Bangladeshis in the next general election. Political leaders from various parties, including BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the National Citizen Party (NCP), along with election experts, technical specialists and journalists, participated in the discussion. The commission aims to introduce a hybrid method in combination with postal ballot, online voting and proxy voting—at least on a limited scale during the upcoming 13th parliamentary election. When they took office, the CEC said, they pledged to introduce a voting system for expatriates. “We’re committed, and so is the chief adviser to the nation.” Making Expat Voters: What does Reform Commission say?