Dhaka: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin emphasized that the sole responsibility of the Election Commission is to ensure a free, fair, and credible election. He made these remarks during a workshop titled ‘Building Bridges: Regional Electoral Governance and Citizen Observation Exchange’ organized by the Asian Network for Free Elections at Hotel Lakeshore Heights in the capital.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the CEC highlighted the rule of law as the fundamental requirement for conducting a flawless election. He assured that despite numerous challenges, the Commission will maintain its pledge to the public to facilitate a transparent and acceptable election process. The CEC expressed confidence in fulfilling these commitments to both the nation and the international community.
He noted that the government’s commitment to conducting a fair election and the political parties’ demand for the same act as an additional advantage for the Commission. The CEC also stressed the importance of observers and journalists, describing them as the Commission’s “CC cameras” in ensuring a participatory election. He urged all stakeholders to act responsibly, carefully, and maturely throughout the process.
Discussing the upcoming referendum, the CEC stated that it poses another challenge for the Election Commission. He mentioned that the Referendum Law will be enacted next week, which will outline the procedures and stipulations for the referendum. Voters will be required to respond with ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to four specified points.
Regarding expatriate Bangladeshi voters, the CEC revealed efforts to simplify the voting process through IT-supported postal voting. Additionally, he addressed the challenges posed by technological advancements, particularly the potential misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) by miscreants to disrupt the electoral process. He acknowledged this as a significant concern for the Commission.