News Flash
DHAKA, July 1, 2025 (BSS) - Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin today said the Election Commission (EC) would be capable of conducting a free and fair election with the support of the people.
"If the people of the country stand with us, we will be able to ensure fair elections, InshaAllah," he said, while talking to journalists at the Election Building in the capital's Agargaon.
"You will get the election date and schedule in due time. And you will know it from the EC. We will definitely inform you about it. But you will have to wait a little for that," he added.
Referring to his meeting with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, the CEC said, "During the meeting, he (Chief Adviser) inquired me about the preparations for the elections. I informed him that the preparations for the elections are going on in full swing."
He added, "I understood at the courtesy meeting with the Chief Adviser that he is very sincere about holding a fair election in the country and transferring power democratically. His sincerity in this regard is unquestionable."
"Our sincerity is also unquestionable. We are now on the same wavelength to make the election fair, acceptable and neutral," he continued.
He said, "What we understand from the Chief Adviser's words is that he sincerely wants to present a free, fair, acceptable, credible and neutral election to the nation."
Responding to a question from journalist, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) said, "We are currently focused on preparations for the national election, you can see the work underway is entirely centered on that goal."
He added, "If local government elections are to be held, we would need to reconsider the use of the existing voter list. But for now, our priority remains the national election, as the Chief Advisor has only mentioned national polls, not local ones."
In reply to another question, he said, "We are preparing for the elections considering February and April. Whenever the government wants to hold elections, we can do so."
Mentioning that he has been physically unwell for the past two days, Nasir Uddin said, "There is a hadith of our Prophet (PBUH) that advises us not to act based on assumptions. Yet in this case, I've seen that some people have assumed I resigned, while others claim I fell ill after giving a speech."
He said, "Meeting the Chief Adviser alone does not represent communication with the government. Engagement must occur at various levels. I had a courtesy meeting with him last Thursday, during which it was decided that I would go to the hospital for treatment. Prior to that, I had no formal meeting with him. At present, he is neutral, and so are we. We are striving to work with fairness, within the bounds of law and regulations."
The CEC further said, "Typically, the CEC's direct communication with the head of government takes place when a political party government is in power. In this case, both the Chief Adviser and I are neutral."
He added, "My recent meeting with him was purely a courtesy visit. Still, one might question whether it was just that, especially as elections are currently the primary topic of national discussion. Naturally, the meeting becomes a subject of discussion, but I did not engage in any formal agenda (with him)."
The CEC continued, "The Chief Adviser simply wanted to know if we are prepared to conduct a free, fair, and credible election. I assured him that our preparations are in full swing. Despite various challenges, we are working diligently so that whenever the election is scheduled, we will be ready."
In response to a journalist's question about possible restructuring of the Election Commission, he said, "No such message has been conveyed to me. And why would there be? Have we conducted any election yet? Have we shown biasness toward anyone? Have we taken the chair forcefully? We assumed our roles through a legal process - not arbitrarily."
On the issue of the arrest of two former Chief Election Commissioners, he remarked, "That matter is sub judice, and I cannot comment on ongoing legal proceedings."
