United News of Bangladesh

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on Saturday said elections under the proportional representation (PR) system are not possible unless the law is amended, as the Constitution does not allow it. “Debate is going on among political parties over this matter. I don’t want to join it. If the law is changed, then it will be possible,” he said at a views-exchange meeting with election officials of Rajshahi region at the Regional Public Administration Training Centre. The CEC said the Election Commission cannot go beyond the Constitution, he added. Nasir Uddin said preparations are underway to hold the next parliamentary elections before Ramadan in February and those dreaming of capturing ballot boxes will be disappointed. EC must be ready, no matter when election held: CEC “The law and order situation will improve as the polls approach. If anyone trying to occupy polling centres, the person will face strict action. If a centre is occupied, the entire polling of that centre will be cancelled,” he warned. Nasir Uddin said the commission is working to include the army as part of the law enforcement agencies during the polls. Responding to a question, he said so far there has been no pressure from the government regarding the elections. “If pressure comes, I will resign. I won’t remain in this chair,” he added. EC to act over ban on AL activities after receiving official gazette: CEC The CEC also said Awami League currently has no political activities. “Their trial is going on. During the trial proceedings, Awami League leaders cannot participate in elections. Let’s see what happens in the verdict,” he said. The CEC said the Election Commission has 5,700 officials who served in previous polls and those who were found involved in irregularities in the last elections will not be retained. He gave detailed instructions to the regional election officials on the commission’s preparations.  

The Election Commission has taken an initiative to amend the Representation of the People Order (RPO) 1972 ahead of the next general election. The commission meeting to be held on Thursday will discuss the draft amendment ordinance of the RPO 1972. The meeting will be chaired by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital. Then Awami League government brought changes in the RPO in 2023 ahead of the 12th parliamentary election curtailing the EC’s authority over the postponement or cancellation of election which drew criticism from the opposition parties. As per the existing RPO, the EC can postpone or cancel the election result of one or more than one polling stations during the election. According to the amended RPO, the EC can suspend the results of only those (one or more) polling stations where irregularities have been reported after the failure of law enforcement agencies to stop anomalies. EC taking strong steps to curb AI misuse ahead of national election: CEC But the commission can’t suspend or cancel the entire election result of a constituency due to irregularities in one or some polling station.   The amendment came after the Election Commission cancelled the Gaibandha-5 parliamentary by-election due to irregularities. As part of the election preparation, the current commission, headed by AMM Nasir Uddin, has already approved in principle the draft Parliamentary Election Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates 2025. The draft code will be finalised and subjected to the RPO amendment. Besides, the commission meeting will discuss the possible amendments regarding several laws including the Election Commission Secretariat (Amendment) Ordinance and the Election Officers (Special Provision) Act, as well as the affidavits of candidates and the administrative and financial authorities of EC Secretariat’s officials.  

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Tuesday said the Election Commission is seriously working on containing the misuse of AI (Artificial Intelligence) on digital platforms during the next parliamentary election. The commission has also sought assistance from Canada on preventing the abuse of AI, he told reporters after a meeting with Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Ajit Singh at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital. “The AI misuse may be a big threat for us. We’ve sought their (Canada’s) assistance on how to address this issue because Canada had an election last year. So, they had to face such issues as well. We’ve sought suggestions based on their experiences. We are seriously working on this issue,” said the CEC. What about Foreign Observers? CEC Nasir Uddin said this time the EC will not invite the foreign observers who certified the last three general elections as acceptable and credible.   In response to a question, the CEC said, "Why should we invite those foreign observers who certified the last three elections? Should we take all the observers who certified that the last three elections were very good elections, acceptable credible elections?” Nasir Uddin said the commission will invite the foreign observers who are dependable and reliable and also have experiences of observing elections in different countries. “So, we will take (invite) them and will minus those who certified the previous three elections," he said. He also expressed optimism that a huge number of foreign observers would come to watch the next general election. The CEC said when they (Canadian diplomats) wanted to know the election preparation and if this commission will be able to deliver the next election properly, the commission informed details about the preparation. National election: EC seeks progress reports on polling station repairs He said they wanted to know about the areas where they can assist the Election Commission. Nasir Uddin said the Commission will start an awareness-raising campaign on a massive scale across the country and voter education.  The EC also informed there will be training programmes for polling staff, election observers and polling agents ahead of the next election, he added. In this regard, the envoy said Canada is with the Bangladesh Election Commission. “Canada is ready to help you and it will continue,” he was quoted as saying. “They want us to have free, fair and credible elections,” said the CEC adding that they emphasised the inclusion of females in voter registration and wanted to know about the campaign in the hilly areas. “They (foreign countries) have full confidence in the Election Commission that this Commission is able to deliver a free, fair and credible election. Canada is very happy hearing our commitments. They are highly satisfied,” said Nasir Uddin. No Election Date “When they (Canadian diplomats) asked if there is any specific date for the next general election, I said no,” the CEC said.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Md Nasir Uddin on Sunday said the Election Commission must remain prepared regardless of when the next national election is held. He made the remarks while talking to reporters after exchanging Eid greetings with officials at the Election Commission in Agargaon of the capital. “There has been no discussion with the government yet about holding the election in February. I am currently focused solely on our preparations. Once discussions are held with the government, we will have more clarity and can reach a decision accordingly,” he said. AL may contest elections unless banned: CEC The CEC said the Election Commission is ready to proceed as soon as it receives any indication from the government. Discussions with the government will be held before finalising the election schedule and the schedule will be announced roughly two months ahead of the polls, said the CEC. Will be fully prepared to hold elections as per timeframe : CEC   He also urged the officials not to get involved in politics. “I’ve instructed the officials to be politically aware, but not to get involved in politics. We are neutral referees in the election,” the CEC added.

The Election Commission (EC) is going to recommend to the government a set of electoral reforms that are above political debate and could be implemented without delay, but won’t require political consensus, said Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah on Wednesday. “We’ve finalised the recommendations that could be implemented immediately. We will send them today,” he told reporters after a meeting of the commission in the capital. The meeting was held with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin in the chair, while all four election commissioners and the EC senior secretary were present. He said the government earlier asked the EC to propose reforms that are eligible for immediate implementation. Sanaullah explained that the EC categorized the reform proposals into three types – those that can be implemented immediately without political consensus, those that need political agreement, and those relating to rules that the EC can amend on its own. Independent journalism faces multidimensional challenges: BFUJ Secretary General He said the commission is not commenting on proposals that require political consensus at this stage. “There are also reforms under the EC’s jurisdiction, such as amendments to rules, which we can implement by ourselves,” he added. EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said the EC finalized 10-12 reform proposals that don’t require political consensus and financial funds. For example, the suggestion to include a watermark on ballot papers has financial involvement. “So, we do not consider it ready for immediate implementation,” Akhtar said.

BNP leader Ishraque Hossain on Thursday met Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin to know the update over the publication of the gazette notification declaring him as the mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). He met the CEC two days after the Election Commission sent a letter to the Law Ministry seeking opinion over the issuance of mayoral gazette notification declaring Ishraque Hossain as DSCC mayor. “The file reached the EC (following the election tribunal’s verdict) and now the gazette notification will be issued.  It (file) has already been sent to the Law Ministry for opinion. Since I was the petitioner in the case, I came to know an update over it,” he told reporters after his meeting with the CEC at the latter’s office in the capital. Rizvi slams fallen fascist forces for exploiting crisis with illicit wealth On March 27 last, an Election Tribunal of Dhaka overturned the 2020 DSCC election result that declared Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh winner and instead pronounced Ishraque Hossain as the rightful mayor. The EC, on April 22, sought the Law Ministry’s opinions on issuance of the gazette notification in favour of Ishraque, son of the last undivided Dhaka mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka. Asked how long he will be allowed to serve as mayor, Ishraque said once the gazette is published and subsequent formalities are completed, he’ll hold a meeting with our legal panel for clarity on the tenure. He said all steps so far have fully followed the due legal procedures in line with the country’s existing laws and local government laws. The DSCC election was held on February 1, 2020, where Ishraque lost to Taposh by some 188,000 votes. According to the then results, Taposh assumed office on May 16, 2020. Since the first meeting of the elected city corporation body took place in June 2020, the DSCC’s five-year term is set to expire in June 2025.

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Thursday said the Election Commission is now carrying out the election preparation tasks that are necessary and possible within its jurisdiction. "We're working on those things that we think are within our authority and necessary or possible before the election," he said replying to a question whether the Election Commission would wait for the decisions of the National Consensus Commission over the electoral reform recommendations. The CEC was talking to reporters after a meeting with Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Susan Ryle at his office in the capital. Nasir Uddin said the Consensus Commission would decide on the political issues and the matters that involve politics. They would know the decisions of the Consensus Commission later, but now the Election Commission is working on the issues that are emergency and possible right now, he added. About the meeting, the CEC said the Australian High Commissioner assured that all possible necessary supports to the Election Commission ahead of the next general election. "They said that they are ready to support us and the Election Commission as per our request... She assured us all possible necessary supports to the Election Commission," he said. Want to be world’s top manufacturing country: Prof Yunus Nasir Uddin said the envoy wanted to know EC's preparation for the next parliamentary election and the overall reform activities. "I informed her details," said the CEC. The Australian High Commissioner said they continue to support the Election Commission's efforts for free and fair elections. "Bangladesh is going through as a way towards open, free and fair elections stadia...We continue to work with you as specific hand to support your efforts," she said. Susan Ryle described her discussion with the CEC as a very productive meeting.

Former Justice and Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Md Abdur Rouf has passed away while undergoing treatment at a city hospital. He was 95. 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.  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. JusticeRouf played role as the 5th CEC after the fall of HM Ershad regime in the 1990s. 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 elections were 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 AbdurRouf 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. 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.'

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on Tuesday said the European Union (EU) has put emphasis on reform and assured all sorts of assistance ahead of the next general election. “They (EU) are ready to provide all sorts of assistance. They want a democratic transition to take place. They (EC) assured us of all kinds of support and they will be with us in this process,” he said. The CEC was talking to reporters after a meeting with a delegation, led by EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller, at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital. Nasir Uddin said the EU enquired of the preparations of the Election Commission. The EU was informed that the EC is applying all efforts to ensure a free, fair and credible election.  “We’ve informed them that we’ve moving ahead with our all-out preparation to achieve and deliver commitment,” he said. About electoral reform, he said, “They (EU) are emphasising that the reform process will go on. They (EU) said the time for reform is very short.”  The CEC said when they (EC) informed them that they don’t want the power of the Election Commission to be compromised, the EU appreciated it. “They (EU) said they believe that the EC should be independent,” he said. Voting rights to be restored at any cost: CEC Replying to a question, he said these are suggestions, not pressure from the EU. About election observers, he said the EU has expressed interest in sending observers in the next national election. “If we request, they will send observers," he said. In response to another question, Nasir Uddin said there was no discussion about when the election would be held.  But the timeline for other preparations, starting from the voter list came up for discussion, he said. EU Ambassador Michael Miller said they met the Election Commission to support for holding the next general election in line with international standards. “I’ve come with a message of support for the reforms and visions of the interim government for holding an election in a transparent manner in line with international standards,” he said. Miller said they also asked the CEC what the EU can do to support the EC in the extremely important moment of Bangladesh. Earlier on Tuesday, a two-member EU delegation met separately with the officials of the Election Commission. Later, the EU Embassy in a short message, said the EU thanked the Chief Election Commissioner for their excellent discussion on reforms and preparations for elections "in line with international standards".  The EU is Bangladesh’s long-term partner on these crucial issues. "We look forward to our in-country expert mission’s recommendations for future funding and expertise," said the EU Embassy.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has said that time will determine whether the Awami League retains its registration and participates in the upcoming national election. “Whether the Awami League maintains its registration and takes part in the election depends on time. The Election Commission is actively addressing this issue,” the CEC said during a press briefing at the Sylhet Circuit House on Saturday. The remarks were made during a views-exchange meeting focused on voter list updates and preparations for the forthcoming national election. When asked about the prospects of holding all local government elections simultaneously, the CEC refrained from making a specific comment. “It is not feasible to organise all elections on the same day,” he noted. EC will ensure everyone's voting rights: CEC Highlighting the election process, the CEC ruled out the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the upcoming polls. “No EVMs will be used in the national election. We are committed to conducting the polls as per the timeline set by the Chief Adviser, adhering strictly to prescribed guidelines,” he said. The CEC also announced that expatriates will, for the first time, be able to cast their votes in the national election. “We aim to deliver a truly credible election”: CEC The meeting in Sylhet was attended by election officials and stakeholders, who discussed strategies to ensure a transparent and timely electoral process.