Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Tuesday said there was no discussion on the election date during a recent meeting with the Chief Adviser, although they did talk about preparations for the upcoming national election.

“No discussion was held on the election date. You will get to know about the election date and schedule from the Election Commission (in time),” he said while replying to a question from reporters at his office in the capital.

The CEC said the Chief Adviser wanted to know whether the Election Commission was ready to hold a free, fair and credible election.

Mentioning that the Chief Adviser is very sincere about a democratic transition and holding a neutral and credible election, Nasir Uddin said, “Our wavelength matched with his. We are on the same wavelength when it comes to ensuring a free, fair and credible election.”

On the EC’s preparation, the CEC said, “We are preparing in full gear... amidst various challenges we are moving ahead with preparations.”

About the meeting held on Thursday last between the CEC and Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, Nasir Uddin said it was a courtesy call. It was his first formal meeting with the Chief Adviser, he said.

Asked whether it was the Chief Adviser who invited him or if he had sought the appointment for the meeting, Nasir Uddin said, “Since taking office, I had not held any formal meeting with him (before this one).”

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In response to speculation surrounding his two-day absence from office, Nasir Uddin clarified that he was sick and had been admitted to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) since Friday.

He said no one should be guided by assumptions. “Some said I was resigning, others claimed I was sick — all based on speculations,” he lamented.

Referring to comments made in a television talk show that the CEC should not have met the head of government to maintain neutrality, he said, “The Chief Adviser is neutral, and so am I.”

He noted that during political governments, the CEC typically does not communicate directly with the head of government.

Asked about which election the EC is currently preparing for, the CEC replied, “Right now our focus is on the national election because the Chief Adviser is not talking about local elections. His commitment — both at home and abroad — is to hold a national election. We are moving ahead with preparation according to his commitment.”

Regarding the National Citizen Party’s (NCP) demand for the current EC’s reconstitution, the CEC said, “I don’t want to comment. Political parties can express their views.”

In reply to another question, he reiterated that there was no discussion on a tentative timeframe for the parliamentary polls during the meeting with the Chief Adviser. “We are preparing to hold the election as early as possible, so that we can hold it whenever the government decides,” he said.

About the possible timelines, the CEC said February was mentioned in London and before that April was mentioned. “We are preparing with those two timeframes in mind.”

When asked about his comment as the current CEC to the fact that two former Chief Election Commissioners are now behind bars, he said, “I don’t want to make any comment over a sub-judice matter.