Working with a clear commitment to create fair election atmosphere: CEC
Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin today (17 November) said the Election Commission has been working with a clear conviction and commitment to create a fair and beautiful electoral environment.
"We will take all necessary preparations from our side to create a proper and nice election environment. We will keep trying. Our intention and commitment are absolutely clear. And we are working accordingly," he said while chairing a pre-election dialogue with five political parties at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital this morning.
The discussion was held with five political parties as part of the EC's ongoing dialogue with registered political parties ahead of the 13th parliamentary election to be held in February 2026.
"No matter how many storms, cyclones or turmoil come, we will take every required step to ensure a fair and beautiful environment for the election," the CEC said.
Seeking cooperation from political parties for building a peaceful and proper electoral atmosphere, he said such cooperation is "very essential."
He stressed that the collaboration of political parties would be required to ensure enforcement of the electoral code of conduct.
"Please influence your candidates and workers to follow the code of conduct. If we get your cooperation, it will make the enforcement process much easier for us," Nasir Uddin said, pointing to political parties.
Noting that the country belongs to all, the CEC said organising a proper election is a fundamental requirement for leaving behind a nice country for future generations.
"If a beautiful election can elect representatives and the country can be entrusted to them, I think a bright future can be ensured for the nation. We seek your full cooperation and hope we will receive it," he added.
He said a fair election would not be possible without the cooperation of political parties and their members.
If political parties want to create problems, there will always be possibility and concern about a questionable election, he warned.
Referring to expatriate voting rights, the CEC said that although postal ballots for expatriates have always existed in the law, no Election Commission in the past worked with this complex issue.
"Postal balloting has always been in the law, but it was never practised. We have taken up this work," he said.
He said many new but "gigantic and complex tasks" have come to the present Commission. Despite many limitations, this Commission has not given up and continues to move forward like a sailor steering a storm-tossed ship through challenges.
"InshaAllah, whatever challenges lie ahead, we are prepared to face them. We must move forward overcoming these challenges," he said.
Election commissioners Tahmida Ahmad, Anwarul Islam Sarker and Brig Gen (Retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah were present.
The five parties that participated in the morning session are Bangladesh Sangskritik Muktijote (Muktijote), Bangladesh National Awami Party, Bikalpadhara Bangladesh, Bangladesh Kalyan Party and Bangladesh Muslim League-BML.
The Commission will sit in another session with six other political parties. The six other parties for the afternoon session are Zaker Party, Amar Bangladesh Party-AB Party, Bangladesh Development Party, Bangladesh Islami Front, Khelafat Majlish and Jatiya Ganotantrik Party-Jagpa.
On 13 November, the EC opened its pre-election dialogue with the political parties and already held talks with a total of 23 ones out of 53 registered political parties on the first two days of the electoral dialogue.
The Commission aims to complete the dialogue with the political parties within this month before the announcement of the national election schedule in early December.