Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has reaffirmed the Election Commission's (EC) commitment to delivering a fair, free, and credible election to the nation.
Speaking on Sunday at the Electoral Training Institute in Agargaon, Dhaka, during the inauguration of a voter list updating program, the CEC underscored the commission's dedication to alleviating voters' longstanding grievances.
“The deprivation of voting rights experienced by 180 million people is a burden we aim to lift,” said CEC Nasir Uddin.
“We remain steadfast in our commitment and seek the cooperation of all stakeholders in this mission.”
Highlighting the operational plans, the CEC announced that starting January 20, enumerators would collect new voter information door-to-door.
“This nationwide campaign will mobilize nearly 75,000 personnel, trained systematically in phases,” he added.
Acknowledging the interim government's special circumstances, the CEC said: “This is a transitional period, and the expectations from both the government and the Election Commission are immense. Reforms are needed in various legal frameworks, and we are working towards those goals. However, true transformation begins within oneself—without reforming our mindset, sustainable progress is unattainable.”
Emphasizing the need for institutional reforms, the CEC pointed out gaps in implementing recommendations from past caretaker governments, notably those from 1996.
“We must adapt our laws and regulations based on the recommendations of the Election Reform Commission to ensure a robust electoral process,” he said.
Election Commissioner Abdur Rahman echoed the CEC’s sentiments, stressing that restoring public confidence in the voting process requires transparency and accountability.
“An accurate voter list is a prerequisite for credible elections, and we must approach this task with utmost vigilance,” Rahman said.
Commissioner Tahmida Ahmed said the importance of adhering to both legal and ethical principles.
“The commission will not tolerate any malicious actions by its staff. Those responsible for misconduct will be held accountable individually,” she said.
Commissioner Anwarul Islam Sarkar vowed to rectify the tarnished image of the electoral process. “We will take every necessary step to restore the sanctity of elections. Irregularities in voter registration and negligence in the update process will not be tolerated,” he said.
Brigadier General (retd) Abul Fazal Mohammad Sanaullah, another commissioner, highlighted the importance of impartiality in voter registration.
“No one should join this process with financial motives. We will ensure equal attention to deceased voters, fake voters, and new registrants. The lack of public trust in elections is dissipating, and we aim to capitalize on this renewed interest in voting,” he said.
