By Habibur Rahman

DHAKA, Jan 5, 2026 (BSS) – The Election Commission (EC) has completed all necessary preparations to hold the upcoming 13th Jatiya Sangsad election and the referendum in a free, fair, acceptable and neutral manner.

“The Commission is fully confident that a good election will be held this time…There is no lack of effort on the part of the Commission to hold a good election,” Election Commissioner Md. Anwarul Islam Sarker said in an exclusive interview with BSS here.

In this connection, he categorically said, “All necessary preparations are in place and will be further strengthened.”

Responding to a question on the Commission’s readiness to hold the referendum and the 13th Jatiya Sangsad Election scheduled for February 12 in a fair and orderly manner, he expressed his firm belief, saying “a good election will take place in the interest of the country”.

He stressed that there is no alternative to a good election, warning that “failure to ensure it would collectively set the nation back.”

On the issue of creating a conducive election environment, the Election Commissioner noted that candidates are currently experiencing tension over the acceptance or rejection of their nominations.

Once the candidates are finalised, voters will be able to make their choices, he added. 

“At that stage, voters will develop a candidate-based mindset, which will help stabilise the election environment,” he observed.

He further said that as candidates compete with the aim of winning, their efforts to bring maximum voters to polling centres will ultimately increase voter turnout.

On the law and order situation during the election, Md. Anwarul Islam Sarker said the three services, Ansar, police, Coast Guard and intelligence agencies are on high alert, keeping strict vigilance on the recovery of arms and listed criminals. 

He said the EC remains highly cautious so that no new law and order issues arise during the election.

Asked about measures to ensure that voters can come to polling centres and cast their votes in a safe and comfortable environment, the Election Commissioner reiterated, “There is no lack of effort from the EC and all necessary preparations are in place and will be further reinforced.” 

He said once polling centres are finalised and deployment of law enforcement personnel is arranged on a centre-based and area-based manner, and once mobile courts, electoral inquiry committees, vigilance teams and law and order cells work in parallel, the overall environment will further improve.

Replying to another question on the election atmosphere, he said, “The Election Commission is fully hopeful that a good election will be held this time.” 

He reiterated the Commission’s firm belief that a good election is being organised in the interest of the country, adding that there is no alternative to a good election and that full-scale preparations are being taken accordingly.

Regarding the formation of vigilance and observation teams to create a proper election environment, Anwarul Islam Sarkar said that circulars have already been issued for forming various committees, including vigilance teams. 

He said the EC has provided guidelines outlining their duties, reporting systems, the format for forming election monitoring teams, their scope of work, and the procedure for forming law and order cells. 

He said the ninth circular is being issued and returning officers will focus on these matters once the scrutiny of nomination papers is completed.

 

An EC circular on the formation of vigilance and observation teams said that the Commission has issued instructions on forming various committees and defining their scope of work to prevent pre-election irregularities. 

In line with the laws, rules and prevailing procedures, these committees will discharge their responsibilities to ensure that the Jatiya Sangsad election is held in a free, fair, neutral and acceptable manner.

The circular said that to uphold and strengthen the neutrality and acceptability of the Election Commission, returning officers must ensure that election neutrality is not undermined by any influence or interference from any quarter, in accordance with the law, rules and code of conduct. 

It said officials concerned must refrain from any action that could bring them into disrepute before the appropriate authority or local people, and must apply and follow the law and rules properly in every activity to ensure a fair election.

It further said that joint meetings with local people should be arranged with the participation of district and upazila administrations to encourage voter turnout, and contact should be maintained with local political leaders. 

To ensure that voters can come to polling centres freely and safely and return home securely, intensive patrols by mobile law enforcement units should be arranged. 

Security measures should be strengthened in risky areas and important polling centres, and law enforcement agencies should be given strict instructions to remain vigilant at all times to prevent any untoward activities. 

The circular also said that once the list of polling centres is finalised, extensive publicity should be arranged before the election regarding the location of the centres.

Regarding vigilance and observation teams, the circular said that to ensure the neutrality of the election is visibly reflected before the public, vigilance and observation teams must be formed at the district and metropolitan levels under the leadership of returning officers, comprising officials from different departments as required and neutral, distinguished persons from the non-government sector. 

Similar committees must be formed at the upazila and metropolitan thana levels under the leadership of assistant returning officers.

The circular said the duties of the vigilance and observation teams include on-the-spot inspection to see whether the Representation of the People Order, 1972, and the Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates in Parliamentary Elections, 2025, are being properly followed or violated or are at risk of violation. 

It said the teams will also inspect whether election campaigning and expenditure limits are being exceeded and whether other rules and regulations are being properly complied with.

It further said that if any violation of the code of conduct is noticed, immediate action should be taken as per rules or the matter should be reported to the electoral inquiry committee, executive magistrate, judicial magistrate or the concerned authority. 

In case of violation of election laws, arrangements should be made to file cases and, where appropriate, lodge complaints with criminal courts, while providing immediate advice to resolve any emerging problems.

The circular also said that if a candidate, his or her election agent or any other person acting on their behalf violates or attempts to violate the code of conduct, particularly provisions related to election expenditure under Article 44C of the Representation of the People Order, 1972, the matter must be reported immediately in writing to the candidate or representative, the concerned committee, the responsible magistrate or, where applicable, the Election Commission. 

Reports submitted by team members must be consolidated and a comprehensive daily report on the overall situation of the concerned electoral area must be sent to the Election Commission through the returning officer, it said.

It added that appropriate action should be taken immediately by the returning officer or by the team in accordance with the law.