Photo : Collected

DHAKA, Aug 17, 2025 (BSS) - BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan today said the Election Commission (EC) was presumably taking appropriate steps for the planned national polls in February next year.

“After talks with them (EC) what we understood that their preparedness is underway for the polls as needed,” he told reporters emerging along with a three-member of party delegation from a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin at the Election Commission Building.

Khan said that the BNP delegation basically discussed about EC preparations for the upcoming elections and related issues like the electoral code of conduct and constituency demarcations.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and Chairperson's Adviser Ismail Zabiullah were two other members of the delegation.

“As far as we have discussed and understood, they (EC) are preparing as it is needed to. However, they have some concerns about law and order” and thought the police remained comparatively weak, Khan said.

He said everybody knew the state of police morale scene the way they were used by the previous government and resulting in their current weaknesses though “they themselves are ashamed of their behavior”.

The BNP leader, however, noted that efforts were being taken so they could overcome their weaknesses while since the election was still a few months away some changes was expected to be taken during this time.

He said the EC informed the delegation that if required the commission might deployment of more military troops in maintaining order during elections while they were already in the field to maintain law and order.

Khan said the EC would also request the government to engage navy and Coast Guard in coastal regions.

“We know that during the election period, the government has to comply with any EC request (and) so, I do not see any reason to worry about that matter,” he said but added the political parties should as well put in their efforts against deterioration of law and order.

“Our party leaders, workers and supporters participate in elections peacefully and enthusiastically. I believe that if all the political parties participating in the elections have the same attitude,” Khan said.

The BNP leader said the EC informed them that they tried to ensure integrity of districts and geographic proximity in demarcating constituencies alongside taking into consideration the number of voters.

Khan said under the election laws, the political parties do not have any scope to complain about constituency demarcation and only aggrieved individuals or candidates could do so.

He said the intending BNP candidates who by now lodged such complaints the EC would start hearing their issues after tomorrow.

Asked for comments about concerns about the certainty of elections in February, Khan said when the people in the helm of affairs said the polls would be held in line with the deadline, it would be held in due time.

“The Chief Adviser said that the election will be held”.

Khan said the BNP’s acting Chairman Tarique Rahman said those who had jointly spearheaded the campaign would united and if elected to power BNP would jointly run the country.