United News of Bangladesh

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin said they will strongly urge the government to keep the national identity (NID) services under the Election Commission's control. “We will strongly voice our opinions in the law-making process. Wherever opinions are needed, we will give (opinions). Our entire commission wants this,” he said. The CEC said this while talking to reporters following a sit-in programme of EC employees and officials in front of his office room at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the city. The EC staff were protesting a fresh move initiated by the current government to enact a law for bringing a number of civic services, including birth registration and national identity registration services, under a single entity named the ‘Civil Registration Commission’. They also gave a seven-day ultimatum to go on fresh programme unless any visible step is taken to over the issue by March 12. Election Commission committed to holding credible polls: CEC Nasir Uddin said he did not hear that the government had already finalised its decision to remove the NID operation from the Election Commission rather there have been discussions. “We will inform the government in writing that it should stay under the EC. We will inform the government on an urgent basis," he said. Earlier, a meeting of the inter-ministerial committee was held in the Cabinet Division on Monday (March 3) to review the draft of the 'Civil Registration (Commission) Ordinance, 2025'. A representative from the EC Secretariat was also present at the additional secretary-level meeting. In 2023, the previous Awami League government enacted the National Identity Registration Act, 2023 to transfer the national identity registration operation from the Election Commission to the Security Services Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Voters in Bangladesh now stand at 123.7 million: CEC But the Election Commission Secretariat has written to the interim government to repeal the law following the July mass uprising that toppled Sheikh Hasina’s regime. Replying to a question, the CEC said he heard that the government perhaps was thinking to provide all kinds of services from one place but the NID services will remain under the jurisdiction of the Election Commission, he said. Nasir Uddin said NID is a byproduct of voter registration operation and the EC officials have worked hard for 17 years, developing the NID network across the country. “The government will definitely take all the issues into consideration. There may be a gap in information. After receiving the written opinion of the commission, this gap will definitely not be there,” he said. He said their position on this matter is clear and they are working on the basis of everyone's consent. The CEC, however, said: “I am not the ultimate decision maker. I represent the EC…I can speak on behalf of the EC. I can create a position before the government....we are a constitutional body. If the government makes a law, we have to obey the law. But we will urgently raise our opinion in the law-making process." About the EC officials’ concern and programme, Director General of Electoral Training Institute SM Asaduzzaman expected that the commission would take all initiatives to ensure that the NID operation is not shifted from the EC. “If so, we will be with the EC,” he said. He said if the NID operation would go from the EC’s jurisdiction, the elections would be under threat. “We have submitted a memorandum (to the CEC) expressing our concerns,” he said. Convener of Bangladesh Election Commission Officers Association Mohammad Monir Hossain said there were several attempts before on several occasions to move the NID services from the EC’s authority. Last time, there was an attempt to shift the NID to under the authority of the home ministry but this time the attempt is to take it under a new commission. “We think that these things are being done for some purposes. We have announced a programme on behalf of the association,” he said. Noting that there has been no problem with the NID operation under the EC’s authority for 17-18 years, the EC official said, "Today, we believe that no such environment has been created, the NID should be taken to somewhere else from the EC.” “We have informed the commission, given time, and expect visible progress by next Wednesday. Otherwise, officials and employees across the country, including the EC Secretariat, will go form human chains from 11 am to 1 pm on March 13. Even then if our demands are not met, we will go on a more stringent programme, including a work abstention," said Monir Hossain. Read Smart NID Card in Bangladesh: Online Application Process, Documents Needed, Fees

The total number of voters in the country now stands at 123,732,274, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin announced on Sunday. The CEC disclosed the updated statistics while inaugurating a vibrant rally in front of Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital, marking National Voter Day 2025. As per tradition, the final updated voter list is published on March 2 every year, coinciding with the observance of National Voter Day. However, this year's voter list updating process, which began on January 20, is still going on. Election Commission extends voter list updating deadline During the event, the CEC reiterated the Election Commission’s commitment to conducting free, fair and credible elections, seeking cooperation from all stakeholders to achieve this goal.

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Monday hinted that holding local government elections before next June is unlikely, as the voter list updating programme is still ongoing. “Our target is the national election in December. If it is to be held in December, we must announce the election schedule in October,” he said. The CEC made the remarks while addressing a function organised by the Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy (RFED) at the Electoral Training Institute in the capital. Hold national election without delay, Fakhrul urges govt  He noted that the voter list updating programme is currently in progress and will be completed by June. “If local government elections are held now, they will have to be conducted with 1.6 million deceased voters on the list while excluding new voters,” he added.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has said that the Election Commission (EC) does not intend to take a stance for or against any political party. “We, who are in the commission, do not want to engage in politics… we do not want to support or oppose any political party… we want to remain neutral,” he said on Sunday. The CEC made the remarks while addressing a function at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital. The Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy (RFED) organised the event to distribute the Journalist Hossain Zakir Best Reporting Award-2024. EU assures support, emphasises reform ahead of Bangladesh election: CEC Seeking cooperation from journalists in ensuring a free election, the CEC identified political control over the Election Commission as the main reason behind the criticism of its role. “This is the biggest reason why the Election Commission has been subjected to political control. If the influence of politicians on the EC cannot be stopped, the same old issues will persist. There may be thousands of reasons, but I believe political control over the EC is the most significant factor,” he said. Voting rights to be restored at any cost: CEC The CEC reiterated the commission’s commitment to holding a free and fair election. “We are committed to holding a free and fair election. But it won’t be possible for us alone unless we receive cooperation from all segments of society,” he added.

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin has said the reform of electoral laws and rules and other necessary works must be completed by October next to hold the 13th parliamentary election in December next. “To conduct the election in December, I have to be fully prepared with everything by October, completing whatever necessary (for the election). I’ve to announce the schedule at the end of October,” he said on Sunday. AL won’t be allowed to contest elections: Mahfuj Alam The CEC made the remark while addressing a dialogue titled ‘RFED Talk’ with Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy-RFED at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital. He said the election commission needs to announce the election schedule at least two months or one and half a month before an election. UK NRB Society concerned over potential Sylhet-Manchester flight suspension The submission of the nomination papers, scrutiny of nomination papers, withdrawal of candidacy, settlement of appeals against the decisions of returning officers, and giving at least 21 days for election campaign are to be considered during the announcement of an election schedule, he said. “If the election is to be held in December, then there must be an arrangement so that I can prepare by October. And if it says in the middle that new law or reform is to be made, then it will be a big challenge for me. It will be a big challenge not only for me but also for anyone because of time constraints,” said Nasir Uddin. Rizvi compares call for reforms before elections to AL putting development before democracy He focused on different issues, including registration of political parties and delimitation of constituencies.

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin has said that the voting rights of people will be restored at any cost. "People have lost interest in voting due to the lack of opportunities, and we aim to address their regrets," he said while inaugurating the voter list updating programme-2025 at the Savar Upazila Parishad auditorium on Monday morning. The CEC said that the voting rights will be realised when common people will be able to vote for their preferred candidate without fear. During the event, election commissioners urged data collectors to remain vigilant, as the number of female voters in the latest update programme was alarmingly low. They have also warned against voters who vote in two places simultaneously. The door-to-door data collection campaign will continue till February 3 and the collection of biometric data of the eligible voters will be taken from February 5 to April 11. During the field-level data collection campaign, enumerators will collect the data of eligible voters who were born on and before January 1, 2008. Read: No conflict between reform and election: Fakhrul Besides, the enumerators will collect applications from the existing voters who intended to change voting addresses and the data of deceased voters for dropping their names from the voter list. According to the Electoral Training Institute, more than 66,000 people have already received training over the voter listing updating programme. The trained people include 55,016 enumerators and 11,801 supervisors. The EC will publish the draft updated electoral rolls incorporating the names of new voters on January 2, 2026. Following the resettlement of claims and objections, the commission will make the final electoral rolls on March 2, 2026. The Election Commission has recently issued a notification with 16 instructions for the officials and enumerators who will be engaged in the data collection drive. Read more: Main goal is to ensure free, fair election: EC Sanaullah The instructions include collection of data of those persons who had been born on and before January 1, 2008 but have remained out of the voter lists, ascertaining if such persons became voters in the past, writing proper spelling of names of possible voters in both Bangla and English and being careful so that the data of Rohingyas and foreign nationals could no way be collected. According to the existing voter lists (published on March 2, 2024), there are 121.85 million (121,850,160) voters in the country.

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Sunday said the Election Commission is working to clear all doubts over the electoral rolls. “We are doing it (updating the voter lists) to clear the doubts. We are engaging so many people in the field. We are certainly hopeful that all doubts will be cleared, Inshallah,” he said, replying to a question from reporters at an event held in Nirbachan Bhaban here. In the function, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) provided some instruments to help the voter list updating programme that will begin on Monday throughout the country. Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh Stefan Liller handed over 175 laptops, 200 scanners and 4300 bags to the CEC. Nasir Uddin said they have planned to complete the voter list updating programme within six months and some 65,000 people will work in this huge programme. “We will have frantic efforts to finish this job by this six months,” he said. Read: Some 1.8 million new voters added to draft voter list: EC The CEC said some 65,000 people will work at different levels so that the commission can complete this work quickly and within the specified time as the EC has taken a huge programme. Replying to a question over BNP's demand for holding the national election in the middle of this year, the CEC said they don't enter into political statements (debates) and will stay within the laws, rules, and regulations. “We want to present free and fair elections,” he said. When asked whether the Commission is working within the government’s declared timeline, the CEC confirmed their preparations align with the timeframe outlined by the chief adviser. “We are working with that in mind,” he said. Read more: BNP reveals 10-point proposal for electoral reforms; wants tech-aided upgrade of voter list About UNDP's support, he said the EC would seek assistance from UNDP throughout the electoral process. “We hope they will continue to support us,” he said.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has said that the Awami League may participate in elections unless the government or the judiciary issues a ban against the party. The CEC said this during a meeting with election officials at the Chattogram Circuit House on Monday morning. “The Election Commission runs with complete independence and faces no external pressure. We are committed to taking all necessary steps to ensure a fair and transparent election,” the CEC assured. Govt issues directives for Tabligh Jamaat activities to maintain peace Highlighting past challenges, the CEC acknowledged the issue of fake voters in previous elections and attributed a decline in voter registration to mistrust in the voting process, and announced plans to initiate a voter list update soon to address these concerns. “The voter list will be updated within the next six months. This time, elections will not follow previous patterns. Since 5 August, there has been significant progress in fostering national consensus on electoral matters,” he added. During the meeting, the CEC provided detailed guidelines on voter list updates and preparations for the upcoming national election. Govt committed to ensuring security on waterways: Adviser Sakhawat He said that the commission is ready to hold a credible election and restore people’s trust in the process. Regional election officials from various levels attended the meeting, contributing to discussions on election management and strategies for improving voter engagement.

The newly formed Election Commission (EC), headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin, has sat for its first meeting. The meeting began at 11am at room No-314 of the Bhaban, said EC sources.  All the commissioners -- Md Anwarul Islam Sarker, Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Begum Tahmida Ahmad and Brigadier General (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah – are there in the meeting. Broken criminal justice system needs to be fixed: CA's Press Secretary The interim government formed the EC on November 21, making former secretary Nasir Uddin as the CEC. On September 5, the previous EC, led by Kazi Habibul Awal, stepped down from the post amid severe criticism for their controversial roles in holding elections, including the 2024-national election. 

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has said the Election Commission will hold free, fair, and credible elections on completion of some necessary reforms. “I consider this role a big opportunity in my life. The people of this country have been deprived of their voting rights. They have struggled and made sacrifices to secure free and fair elections. I am committed to providing them with such an election and will do my best to achieve it,” he said while talking to reporters after his swearing-in on Sunday. The new CEC said he believes that they can make this happen. “The Election Commission has a strong team and with the cooperation of people and political parties, we aim to gift  the nation a transparent election.” Replying to a question the CEC said, “Reforms are an ongoing process. However, certain essential changes must be made to hold elections.” New CEC, commissioners sworn in He said the younger generation who have been eagerly waiting to vote need to be included in the voter list. “Necessary reforms are already underway, and I hope we will identify specific areas requiring change soon as a reform commission is actively working on it.” New CEC AMM Md Nasir Uddin and four commissioners took oath on Sunday. Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed administered the swearing-in ceremony at the judges’ lounge of the Supreme Court in the afternoon. The four commissioners are former additional secretary Md Anwarul Islam Sarker, former district and sessions judge Abdur Rahman Masud, former joint secretary Begum Tahmida Ahmad and Brigadier General (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah. President Mohammed Shahabuddin appointed them following section 118 (1) of the Constitution.