United News of Bangladesh

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Tuesday said he even does not yet know the date of the upcoming general election. “How many more times do I have to speak about the election date? I already spoke about it this morning. The fact is I don’t even know the date myself,” he said at an event organised by the Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy (RFED) at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital. The CEC said the election date will be informed two months ahead of the election. “Please be patient a bit…wait and see…you’ll know the date at the appropriate time,” he added. Regaining Lost Image   Turning to the role of election officials, Nasir Uddin urged those who will be engaged in election duties to take the upcoming general election as an opportunity to restore public confidence and regain the image that has been seriously affected in the past three elections. EC taking strong steps to curb AI misuse ahead of national election: CEC “The image of our administration, police and law enforcement agencies has been seriously affected during the last three elections. This is a chance to recover it,” he said. Noting that they (admin) had been capable of presenting the nation fair elections in 1991, 1996 and 2001, he questioned as to why a fair election can’t be held now. “We must be capable of doing so,” he said. “Now this is your time to earn public respect and regain your image. We want to prove that we, the government employees and law enforcement agencies, can (to hold a good election), if we are truly sincere,” he said pointing at the administration, law enforcement agencies, presiding officers and polling officers. The CEC said since he was a government official, he personally feels hurt when people blame government officials as a whole for electoral fraud. “I’ve served in public administration myself. When the people criticise us, saying votes were cast at night and rigged, it causes me pain that we all have to shoulder the blame. Why do we all have to bear this blame?” he said. Citing that people have fought for 15 years to establish the right to vote, the CEC said they are just on a highway and already crossed halfway to establish the right. “The day voters can vote for their preferred candidate, leave the polling station, and return home, without any hindrance, we’ll be able to say that the right to vote has been established,” he added. Election commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida Ahmad, Md Anwarul Islam Sarker and Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah were present at the function presided over by RFED president Kazi Emad Uddin (Jabel).

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday night urged the interim government to announce a clear date for the national election without unnecessarily complicating the country's political situation. "I call upon the interim government to declare a specific date for the national election without muddying the waters unnecessarily," he said while virtually addressing a discussion meeting. Nationalist Democratic Movement  (NDM) arranged the event at a city hotel, marking its 8th founding anniversary.  BNP’s Salahuddin accuses interim govt of siding with NCP Tarique underscored the need for establishing a government accountable to the people through their direct votes in a credible national election. Otherwise, he warned, it will not be easy to confront the fallen and runaway despotic Awami League. “We hope that the interim government will soon announce the date for the national election and fulfil its responsibility to establish the rights of the people of Bangladesh, rising above greed and temptation,” the BNP leader said.  He said that political parties prepare themselves to serve the people through the practice of party politics, ideals, and political discourse, and to govern the country with a public mandate. Fakhrul recovering well after eye surgery, advised two weeks’ rest “It is very important to strengthen democratic political parties, political norms, rules and systems, instead of depoliticisation,” the BNP leader said. Tarique also stressed the urgent need to strengthen constitutional institutions, which can only be achieved through continuous democratic practice. He said it is the right time to implement the process of institutionalising democracy so that no future dictator or fascist can strip the people of their rights. The BNP leader noted, however, that the interim government's lack of goodwill and capability in this regard has already led to public disappointment. Despite this, he said, pro-people political parties have continued to support the interim government in the hope of establishing a government that is accountable to the people through a free and fair election. From the very beginning, Tarique said BNP and other political parties have called for a clear roadmap of action from the interim government. "But if we consider all the developments so far, we see that the government has not responded accordingly. Rather, it seems they have tactically entangled the announcement of a definite election date within an innovative condition of minor and major reforms,” he said. The BNP leader feared that political instability is growing since the government has kept the country’s people in the dark regarding its plans and thinking. Election must not be delayed for any party’s convenience: BNP’s Nazrul "We are witnessing people from various walks of life gathering on the streets every day with different demands. In just ten months, the signs of instability are visible both within and outside the government." The BNP leader warned that if the government fails to understand and respond to the hopes and aspirations of the people, political unrest in the country will continue to grow. "We think if this unrest persists, it will become increasingly difficult for the government to manage the situation. That is why we urge the interim government to be cautious and aware of its limitations and incapacity,” he said. Stating that the government is not an elite club or a corporate entity, Tarique said it is a political institution and every citizen must have a direct connection with it. He warned that if democratic values and systems are ignored and depoliticisation is encouraged, certain individuals may benefit temporarily, but in the end, the state, democracy, and the pro-democratic people will be the ones to suffer. Tarique also strongly opposed the interim government’s plans to provide a 'humanitarian corridor' for Myanmar’s conflict-ridden Rakhine State or to hand over the container terminal at Chattogram Port to foreign companies. “It seems the interim government is giving more priority to granting corridors and transferring control of the port to foreign hands,” he said. “Let us make it clear once again—decisions on such matters do not fall within the authority of an interim government. These decisions must be made by a national parliament or a government elected by the people’s vote,” he said.The BNP leader said the political legitimacy of the current government was built on national unity against fascism and the sacrifice of thousands of lives during the July movement. Election delay due to fear of BNP coming to power: Mirza Abbas “Yet, even after ten months, the interim government has failed to finalise the list and number of martyrs and those injured in the July-August movement,” he said with regret. He further added, “If someone today wants to know the exact number of martyrs and injured from the July-August movement, can that information be found with certainty? Serious doubts and questions remain.” In such a situation, he said, if a government that came to power through a popular uprising cannot prepare a list of martyrs even after ten months, it raises questions about the government’s capability. “Another important question also arises—has the government become indifferent to the victims, or is it too intoxicated with power? This is a major concern for many people across the country,” Tarique said.

Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah has said that preparations for the national election are underway, with December as the target timeframe. "The entire election process will be transparent. We are cautious based on past experiences and using those lessons, the Election Commission is diligently working on the election process,” he said. The Election Commissioner was speaking to reporters after a meeting on updating the voter list at the Degree College in Thakurgaon district. Noting that the Election Commission does not control the election date, the commissioner said it is entirely in the hands of the government. BNP’s Khosru seeks impartial interim govt for national election In response to a question, Sanaullah said that reform activities are ongoing. Reforms will be made in all areas of election management including at the district and upazila levels. “As per the Chief Adviser’s directives, the election date may be set between December this year and June 2026. The specific date will be determined following discussions with political parties,” he added. Sanaullah also mentioned that if the draft list is completed on schedule, the final voter list will be ready by March 2. AL won’t be allowed to contest elections: Mahfuj Alam Referring to the complaints regarding the voter list, Sanaullah assured that it will be updated by visiting every household. The update aims to eliminate issues such as fake voters, deceased voters, foreign nationals, and dual voters. The Commission will take great care to prevent any complaints. "Our goal is to conduct a free, fair, acceptable and unquestionable election in the future,” he said. Thakurgaon Deputy Commissioner Ishrat Farzana, Superintendent of Police Zahidul Islam, District Election Commissioner Manjurul Hasan, Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Khairul Islam, and other concerned officials were present at the meeting.  

BNP Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu on Thursday called upon the government to announce the date for the next national election as soon as possible. “We consider you (govt) a philosopher's stone. Do you see yourselves that way? If so, then announce the election date and roadmap,” he said. Speaking at a discussion meeting, the BNP leader emphasised that the sooner the election roadmap is revealed, the quicker citizens' expectations will be met. “If you can do this, the nation will remember you. Your name will be inscribed in gold in history,” he said. The discussion was organised by ‘Zia Projonmo’ at the Jatiya Press Club. Dudu, a former president of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, urged the interim government to prioritise conducting a fair and credible election. “The people of the country are waiting to know when the election will take place. So, the government should make setting a date for the election its top priority,” he added. The BNP leader called upon the interim government to complete its initiative for the state reforms without further delay to start the election process. “The people of this country know very well how to conduct a fair election. The police and administration need to be reformed. The public does not want to see any excuses regarding the reform issue.” Dudu said it is unimaginable for a Prime Minister to remain in office by usurping power for 15 years and then flee the country. “Her ministers, MPs, and even the Chief Justice have also fled. I think there is no other precedent like this in the world. They created such a dire situation that there was no way to survive except by escaping,” he said. The BNP leader urged the army chief to publish the list of the 600 people they sheltered following the August-5 mass uprising. “Where did they go? The country’s people want to know.”