Dhaka: Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd) Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah today attributed the absence of credible and inclusive elections in Bangladesh as a principal cause for the mass uprising witnessed in July last year. Speaking at the ‘Election Commission Officers Conference 2025’ held at Nirbachan Bhaban, he highlighted the critical need for electoral reforms in the country.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the conference was organized by the Bangladesh Election Commission Officers Association and featured Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin as the chief guest. Other election commissioners and the EC secretary were present as special guests, all emphasizing the necessity of transparent and fair elections.
In his address, Sanaullah remarked on the rarity and significance of such a pivotal event in the nation’s history, asserting that the collapse of the electoral system was the foremost reason behind the current state of affairs. He stressed the importance of recognizing these issues to facilitate solutions, urging a collective commitment to never participate in flawed elections again.
Sanaullah further stated that the Election Commission would not endorse any biased or corrupt electoral processes and warned against personal affiliations with political parties. He emphasized that the Commission would ensure fair, impartial, and transparent elections, free from undue influence or vague directives.
Other election commissioners echoed these sentiments, reinforcing the Commission’s strong and unbiased stance. Election Commissioner Md. Anwarul Islam Sarkar highlighted the institution’s resilience and impartiality over the past 10 months, asserting its commitment to integrity. Meanwhile, Election Commissioner Begum Tahmida Ahmed announced plans for a gender-inclusive election, emphasizing equal rights for women on voting day.