United News of Bangladesh

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.”