Dhaka: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on Thursday reaffirmed the Election Commission’s commitment to holding a free, fair, impartial, and acceptable election, asserting that all preparations have been completed to ensure peaceful and credible polls. ‘The election will be completed as promised to the people,’ the CEC stated during a briefing for international observers and media representatives at Hotel InterContinental in the capital.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the CEC emphasized that the commission is working strictly in accordance with relevant laws and the Constitution to organize the election and referendum scheduled for tomorrow. All necessary materials, including ballot papers, have been distributed to returning officers and are being centrally dispatched to respective constituencies.
He further explained that extensive security and coordination arrangements are in place with the support of law enforcement agencies and the government. Any electoral disputes will be resolved following established legal and constitutional procedures. Emphasizing transparency as the cornerstone of election management, Nasir Uddin underscored the commission’s priority on openness from the outset.
The CEC highlighted the crucial role that journalists can play in ensuring accountability by reporting any irregularities. ‘The participation of media and observers will play a significant role in ensuring maximum transparency and public trust in this election,’ he added. The briefing also revealed that representatives from 45 countries and organizations, including election management bodies and international institutions, are observing the polls.
Domestic and international observers have been granted access in line with commission guidelines and will be able to publish their findings post-election. Voting is set to occur from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm tomorrow, with today and election day declared public holidays to facilitate voter turnout. Presiding officers, assisted by assistant presiding officers and polling officers, will conduct voting and counting in the presence of candidates or their authorized agents, accredited observers, and journalists.
‘Ballots will be issued only after proper identification, and voting will be conducted by secret ballot in accordance with prescribed rules,’ the CEC affirmed, assuring that voters of all genders and ages will be able to cast their votes unhindered. As polling concludes, vote counting will be completed at the centers, with presiding officers announcing results. Returning officers will subsequently compile and officially declare the final results.
Notably, for the first time, expatriate Bangladeshis will be able to vote through an IT-based postal ballot system. Despite limited preparation time, nearly 800,000 expatriate voters have registered, which the CEC described as encouraging. Four other election commissioners and the EC’s Senior Secretary were present at the briefing. Election Commissioner Brigadier General Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah (Retd.) also addressed various queries from international observers and media representatives.