United News of Bangladesh

The Election Commission on Thursday unveiled the electoral action plan setting timelines to complete all necessary measures to arrange the 13th parliamentary election before Ramadan in February 2026. EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed rolled out the action plan at a press conference at Nirbachan Bhaban in the afternoon. In the action plan, timeframes were set for different election preparatory works like preparation of the electoral rolls, registration of new political parties, delimitation of parliamentary constituencies, updating the guidelines for observers and journalists, printing of election manual, directives, poster and identity cards, carrying out training activities, making translucent ballot boxes and election materials ready, preparation of election budget, installation of polling stations, law and order related issues, and announcement of election results. The action plan outlines how to hold the election before the next Ramadan (February 2026), in line with the directive sent by the Office of the Chief Adviser, the EC secretary said. “We were told through a letter from the office of Chief Adviser to arrange the election before the next Ramadan (February 2026).... So, we are today informing you of our action plan. Targeting the next national election, we’ve prepared our action plan by dividing these (our actions) into 24 sections by and large,” he said. But no specific timeframe was there in the action plan for the announcement of the election schedule. According to the action plan, the dialogues with stakeholders, including political parties, civil society members, media persons, observers, election experts and July worriers, will begin in the last week of September and complete the talks within the next 1.5 months. Besides, the final electoral rolls will be published on November 30, amendments to different electoral laws, rules and guidelines to be completed by September 30, awarding registration to new political parties will be completed by September 30, and the gazette of final delimitation of parliamentary constituencies will be published by September 15 and GIS map over the delimitation of constituencies will be published by September 30. The printing of election manuals, directives, poster and identity cards by November 15, making translucent ballot boxes and election materials usable by November 30 and the draft of polling stations will be disclosed on September 10 and the gazette of the final polling stations will be published 25 days before the voting day. As per the action plan, the listing and registration of out of country voters (OCVs) will be completed by November 30, while the electoral rolls with the OCVs will be printed by 05 and the ballot papers will be sent to them by January 05, 2026. Besides, the ballot papers will be sent to the prisoners before two weeks of the vote. When asked about the demands for a referendum or Constituent Assembly election, Akhtar Ahmed said, “The directive from the Chief Adviser is for the national election. Beyond the parliamentary election, we have no scope to think of anything else.” Replying to a question about the election schedule and balloting date, the EC secretary said, “We will announce the schedule 60 days before the voting. The Office of the Chief Adviser instructed us to hold the election before the next Ramadan. If I’m not mistaken, Ramadan is expected to begin on February 17 or 18. But of course, Ramadan depends on the moon sighting. So, you can calculate the election date accordingly.” Earlier, the Election Commission indicated that the next national election will be held in the first half of February 2026, with the schedule to be announced in the first half of December this year.

Political parties on Wednesday reached a consensus to incorporate a provision in the Constitution for forming a selection committee to nominate the Chief Election Commissioner and other election commissioners during the reconstitution of the Election Commission. The agreement came during the 18th day of the second-round dialogue between the National Consensus Commission and the political parties at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital on Wednesday. “Political parties and alliances have reached a consensus to include a provision in the constitution to form a specific committee for nominations to the Election Commission. The Jatiya Sangsad Speaker will lead this selection committee,” said NCC Vice Chair Prof Ali Riaz while briefing reporters after the day’s session. He said there has been agreement to amend several sub-sections of Article-118 of the Constitution. According to the agreed proposal, there will be an election commission consisting of the Chief Election Commissioner and election commissioners (number to be determined by law). A five-member selection committee headed by the Speaker will be formed for nominations to the Election Commission.  Other members of the selection committee are the Prime Minister, the Opposition Leader, Deputy Speaker (from the opposition party) and a judge of the Appellate Division to be nominated by the Chief Justice. The selection committee shall start searching names for the EC’s reconstitution 90 days before the expiry of the current commission.  The qualification and disqualification for CEC and other commissioners as well as the searching procedure will be determined by a law. NCC begins reform talks with political parties Based on a consensus, the committee shall recommend one name each for the posts of the CEC and commissioners to the President who will then make the formal appointments for a five-year term. The office of Speaker shall provide secretariat assistance to the committee. On Wednesday, the appointment process of some important constitutional and statutory institutions – Election Commission (EC), Public Service Commission (PSC), Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), and the Office of the Ombudsman—were discussed. “Today (Wednesday), the discussion over the Election Commission completed,” said Prof Riaz.  “Different political parties have shown significant flexibility from their earlier positions to reach this consensus today. This will pave the way for establishing an independent and effective Election Commission,” he said, extending sincere thanks to all the political parties for their responsible stance. Describing Wednesday’s discussions as highly fruitful, the NCC vice chair expressed optimism that the National Charter could be finalised by the end of this July.  “We will continue our efforts and are optimistic that we will soon reach a complete national charter (reform charter) based on political consensus,” said Prof Riaz.

Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah on Wednesday said the Election Commission would refrain from commenting on the ongoing demand for its reconstitution. “We don’t want to give any opinion over the political activities,” he said, replying to a question from reporters that the National Citizen Party-NCP demanded the EC’s reconstitution. Sanaullah was briefing reporters about the outcomes of the commission’s meeting held with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin in the chair. NCP Dhaka city unit staged a demonstration rally from 12:00pm-2:00pm in front of Nirbachan Bhaban demanding reconstitution of the Election Commission and arrangement of local government elections immediately. When his attention was drawn to the NCP’s demand for immediate arrangement of the local government body elections before the next national election, this election commissioner said it is the government who decides which election would be held first or later. “This sequencing (issue) – which election would be held first or later-- is not in the hands of the Election Commission, rather it is the government who decides which election would be held first or later. The responsibility of the EC is to conduct elections,” he said. As his attention was drawn over the remarks of NCP leaders that this commission has already lost its neutrality, Md Sanaullah said, “I don’t want to make any comment over political remarks.” NCP demonstrates at Nirbachan Bhaban, demands EC reconstitution He, however, explained why the EC did not file any petition challenging the decision of an Election Tribunal that cancelled the results of the 2020 DSCC election and announced BNP leader Ishraque Hossain as mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). “There is no instance in the past that the EC filed a petition challenging the court’s decision in such cases,” he said. Md Sanaullah also said though there is no legal provision to make the EC a party in such cases, it is done in many cases. Raising the outcomes of the EC’s meeting, he said the Election Commission approved the draft electoral code of conduct for candidates and political parties and the draft guidelines for the polling station installation and management in the parliamentary election. “The drafts of these codes and guidelines were approved in principle, bringing some changes to the existing ones,” said Md Sanaullah. He, however, said the finalisation of the draft code and guidelines depends on the reform initiatives. According to the draft guidelines, the polling station installation committees would be headed by EC own officials instead of Deputy Commissioners and Upazila Nirbahi Officers, said the Election Commissioner. Besides, the electoral voting machine related issues were dropped from the draft guidelines, he added.

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.  

Election Commissioner Brig Gen Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah (retd) has said that preparing and preserving an accurate voter list is the collective responsibility of all. “It is our collective responsibility to prepare and preserve an accurate voter list, as even a single vote can determine the outcome of an election,” he said during a meeting on updating voter lists with regional election officials at Khulna deputy commissioner’s office on Wednesday. He emphasised raising awareness about the significance of voter registration as a fundamental duty of citizens. Addressing election officials from various districts, the chief guest highlighted the importance of maintaining honesty and integrity in the voter registration process. "Ensuring the voting rights of citizens without bias is paramount. Eligible individuals, especially women, must be encouraged to register as voters," he said. Re-election in a constituency if voter turnout is below 40%, Reform Commission recommends Khulna Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Saiful Islam presided over the event. Additional Secretary of the Election Commission Secretariat KM Ali Newaz, Khulna Regional Election Officer Md Humayun Kabir and Superintendent of Police T M Mosharraf Hossain addressed the meeting as special guests.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on Tuesday said the Election Commission will be fully ready to conduct the next national election within the timeframe announced by the Chief Adviser. “We will be fully prepared to hold the election as per the timeframe hinted by the Honorable Chief Adviser for the national election,” he said while talking to reporters at his office here in the capital. The CEC said his commission started working for the national election from day one. “We are taking all the necessary preparations for the national election,” he said. Earlier on Monday, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus said the next national election can be arranged at a time between the end of 2025 and first half of 2026. “The election can be scheduled between the end of 2025 and the first half of 2026," he said in a televised speech to the nation. About the time, the CEC said the Chief Adviser announced a time limit and they will move forward accordingly. “We are not thinking of announcing any roadmap publicly. However, we will have our own action plan to work on,” he said replying to a question. As part of the preparations, the Election Commission will first prepare an authentic voter list, he said. Nasir Uddin said the commission is not thinking about holding local government elections before the parliamentary elections. Reforms need to be done in Parliament: Amir Khosru About the voter list, he said the commission will have a new final voter list in two months. Then it will go for a door-to-door data collection to revise the list again by excluding the dead persons and duplicated voters through verification, added the CEC. “The vote (national election) will be held in the light of that revised list.” In reply to another question about the delimitation of parliamentary constituencies, the CEC said the delimitation will be done on the basis of fairness.  “If any delimitation was done on purpose to help a candidate win or someone lose, we will surely address it,” he said. The CEC said the delimitation of the constituencies will be done on the basis of neither the 2001one nor the current one. “We will do it on the basis of fairness,” he added.

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.

Participation of all political parties in the next general election would not depend on the Election Commission, but rather the decision of the political parties themselves, an Election Commissioner said Sunday. “Whether all the political parties will participate in the general election or not, depends on the decision of the respective political parties and the Election Commission has no involvement in it,” Election Commissioner Anisur Rahman said, while talking to reporters at Kishoreganj Circuit House. NID server down since this morning: Election Commission  “We are determined to create an election-friendly environment and we’ll do it. In the past one and half years we have urged the political parties to participate in the election and we are urging them repeatedly even now,” said Anisur. Election Commission didn’t dig its own grave: CEC “Whether the election would be participatory will depend on the decision of the political parties. The Election Commission has no scope to interfere in it. We have taken preparations to hold elections as per the constitution,” he said.

Election Commissioner Md. Alamgir on Monday said the Election Commission (EC) is not using CC cameras in the by-elections of the vacant five parliamentary seats left by BNP MPs' resignations due to lack of budget. He said this in his office at the election building to the reporters. "There is no budget for installing CCTV cameras in this election. Installation of CC cameras is not possible with Annual Development Programme(ADP) allocation. ADP money can be spent on projects. For CC cameras, money has to be allocated from the revenue sector," he said. Saying 'CC cameras are not a solution' Commissioner Alamgir said the Election Commission (EC) does not see any need for this device. Many elections did not have CCTV cameras, yet no incidents occurred. Read more: By-elections to 5 vacant seats of BNP MPs on Feb 1, 2023 "Polls for five seats will be competitive. It will have balance. As a result, there will be no need for CC cameras," he added. The commissioner also said that the commission can meet and take a decision if necessary to use it as there is plenty of time for selection. By-elections to the five parliamentary seats, left vacant after BNP MPs resigned, will be held on February 1, 2023. EC will conduct the by-polls to parliamentary seats -- Thakurgaon-3, Bogura-4, Bogura-6, Chapainawabganj-2 and Brahmanbaria-2. The EC secretary said candidates can submit their nomination papers till January 5. Returning officers will scrutinize the nomination papers on January 8 and January 15 has been set as the last date for withdrawal of candidature. On December 11, five out of seven BNP members of the parliament (MPs) submitted their resignation to Speaker of Parliament Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, as part of their anti-government movement with a 10-point demand that includes dissolution of parliament. The MPs who resigned were: Md. Zahidur Rahman, Thakurgaon-3; Md. Mosharof Hosen, Bogura-4; Gulam Mohammad Siraj, Bogura-6; Md. Aminul Islam, Chapainawabganj-2; and Rumeen Farhana, from women’s reserved seats. Read more: Democratic practice won't develop without electoral competition: CEC Md. Harunur Rashid of Chapainawabganj-3, who is now in Australia and the ailing MP of Brahmanbaria-2 Abdus Sattar Bhuiyan could not submit their resignations to the Speaker in person. The seven MPs sent their resignations through email on the same day. The Parliament Secretariat published a gazette notification announcing the parliamentary seats as vacant after their resignation.

Election Commissioner Begum Rashida Sultana on Tuesday said exemplary punishment will be meted out to those involved in the malpractices during last month's Gaibandha-5 by-election, describing it as an isolated case. She said this in response to a question from journalists at her office on Tuesday. She said that the Election Commission does not want to see a repeat of the irregularities that happened in the Gaibandha-5 by-election in the upcoming Rangpur City Corporation polls. Read more: Decision on Gaibandha-5 polls in 7 days: CEC "The incident of Gaibandha was an isolated case. That won't happen in Rangpur City Corporation. We are sending the message to Rangpur Returning Officer, Assistant Returning Officer and everyone that we do not want to see such an election,” she also said. When asked about the role of the local administration, Rasheda Sultana said, "We do not believe that the local administrations will not cooperate in the election as the environment in some elections including Faridpur-2 constituency and Zila Parishads was very good. The local administration supported us well.” Read more: Suspension of Gaibandha-5 by-polls was right, former commissioners tell EC Rasheda Sultana said that the investigation report of the irregularities in the voting of Gaibandha-5 constituency has been prepared. However, the commission has not yet discussed it. The probe committee formed to look into the Gaibandha-5 by-election, which the Election Commission (EC) postponed citing irregularities, submitted its report on October 27. Election Commission's Additional Secretary Ashok Kumar Debnath who headed the committee submitted the report to EC Secretary Humayun Kabir Khandaker. Read more: Gaibandha-5 by-polls: EC vows to take offending officials to task The EC suspended the election because of “widespread malpractices” on the election day on October 12. It also extended the deadline for holding any fresh election to the Gaibandha-5 parliamentary seat by three months, till January 20, 2023. Following the death of Gaibandha-5 lawmaker and Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Fazle Rabbi Miah on July 22, 2022, it became a constitutional obligation to hold election for the parliamentary seat by October 20, 2022.