The Election Commission (EC), under the stewardship of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin, has embarked on preparations for the nation’s 13th parliamentary election, setting the wheels in motion for what it promises to be a festival time in the country's democratic journey. In a decisive move, the EC has instructed its officials to initiate the procurement process for critical election materials. Plans are also underway to fast-track the door-to-door data collection drive, starting in January instead of March, to ensure an updated and robust electoral roll. US welcomes Interim Government’s steps toward election readiness These resolutions emerged from an impromptu meeting of the commission, presided over by the CEC on Thursday. The session delved into key issues, including voter list updates, constituency delimitation and the procurement of election essentials. Streamlined Procurement Timeline With swift execution, the EC feels that its secretariat could secure all necessary materials within six to seven months. Officials emphasised the need for meticulous planning to adhere to the timeline. Early or late? Chief Adviser’s election hint triggers mixed BNP reactions The meeting detailed the inventory required for the election, which includes transparent ballot boxes, indelible ink pens, official and marking seals, stamp pads, chargers, and other essentials. A review of the existing stocks against projected requirements underscored the urgency of the procurement process. Indelible ink, a crucial component, must be imported and typically requires up to 70 days for delivery. But the EC noted that some contractors have expedited the process in the past, raising hopes for an efficient turnaround. Aligning with Election Timeline Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus recently suggested that the 13th general election could be held in late 2025 or early 2026. Will be fully prepared to hold elections as per timeframe : CEC Responding to this, CEC AMM Nasir Uddin instructed EC officials to align preparations with this projected timeline. "We will be fully prepared to hold the election as per the timeframe suggested by the Honourable Chief Adviser," the CEC affirmed, exuding confidence in the EC’s ability to meet the challenge. Accelerating Voter List Updates The EC is also poised to expedite the annual update of the voter list. Traditionally, a draft list is published on January 2, inviting public feedback. Any complaints are resolved before the final list is released on March 2. BNP hopes election to be arranged soon The proposed early start to the data collection campaign reflects the EC's commitment to ensuring an accurate and inclusive voter list. Thursday’s meeting was attended by four election commissioners and senior EC officials, who pledged their collective efforts to ensure smooth preparations for the upcoming national elections.

The Election Commission (EC) has taken a plan to settle nearly 400,000 pending applications, submitted seeking correction in the national identity cards, within the next three months in a bid to curb the corruption in the NID services. Director General of the Election Commission’s National Identity Card (NID) Wing ASM Humayun Kabir on Thursday said this while talking to reporters following an operation of Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), conducted at the EC offices, targeting a network of corrupt staff and brokers who allegedly involved in bribery related to NID card services. Election Commission’s maiden meeting in progress “We’ll try to resolve 3.78 lakh pending applications submitted seeking corrections (in NID) within three months so that the opportunities for corruption are reduced,” he said. The ACC, in a crackdown started 11am on Thursday, detained two brokers red-handed and took action against two corrupt staff for their involvement in bribery related to EC’s national identity card services. The NID DG said the manpower crisis is a major reason behind the backlog of applications. So, an initiative has been taken to hire more manpower for the NID services, he said. Election Commission seeks opinions on electoral reform    “I hope you will see a crash program very soon. You will see significant improvement (in settlement of applications) in the next three months,” he said, adding that the EC would try to settle all 378,000 pending applications within this period. According to the EC’s statistics, there are more than 12 crore voters in the country. A large number of voters have various errors in their NIDs. But the people face harassment and difficulties in availing NID services.

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.

The Election Commission (EC) has urged all to correct any errors in their National Identity Cards (NIDs) by January 2. The directive comes as part of preparations for publishing the draft voter list on the same date. In a media release issued on Sunday, the Election Commission Secretariat urged all the citizens of the country to visit their respective Upazila or Thana election offices to get corrected any errors in their NIDs. The media release stressed the importance of accurate NID information, as the draft voter list will be based on the records provided. Any discrepancies left unresolved could lead to administrative and legal complications in the future, it added. To facilitate the correction process, all concerned are required to submit a duly filled-out form along with necessary documents. EC accelerates disposal of NID correction applicants The EC has assured that adequate measures have been taken to ensure a smooth and efficient correction process. The Election Commission says that having an accurate NID is not only crucial for voter registration but also for verifying personal identity and safeguarding citizens' rights.  

Police detained a Rohingya man while he was attempting to register as a voter in Sadullapur upazila of Gaibandha on Sunday. The detainee was identified as Nurul Amin, said an Election Commission press release on Monday. Nurul visited the Sadullapur Upazila Election Office on Sunday to register as a voter. Two Bangladeshi individuals, Tayeb Sarkar and Jibon Kresh Dipan Ujjal, recommended him for registration, it said. Rohingyas trying to be voters illegally: EC When election office staff questioned him about his identity and address, Nurul could not respond satisfactorily. His inconsistent answers raised suspicions, prompting the staff to infom the police. Police arrived at the election office, investigated the matter, and confirmed that Nuru was not a Bangladeshi citizen but a member of the Rohingya community, the release also said. Sadullapur Upazila Election officer filed a case at the local police station and handed Nurul over to the authorities.

Chief of the Electoral Reform Commission Dr Badiul Alam Majudar on Friday said the perpetrators of crimes committed in the last three general elections should be punished. “Those who committed electoral crimes in the last three elections should be punished. The Election Commission (EC) committed the biggest crimes," he said. Dr Majumdar made this comment while addressing a shadow-parliament (debate) on the 'role of the EC, candidates and citizens for a fair election' arranged the Debate for Democracy at the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (FDC) here in the city. He said the government is the most important partner in the elections after the EC. If the government doesn’t help, it won’t be possible even for a neutral Election Commission to conduct a fair election, he added. About the newly constituted election commission headed by AMM Nasir Uddin, the reform commission chief said a tree is known by its fruits. "But, there is no big challenge for this EC. Because, unlike last time, there is no pressure from the ruling political party," he said. Read: Badiul Alam Majumdar seeks political consensus on EVM use   Dr Majumdar said many media didn’t provide true information about the last three national elections. "The role of the media in elections is important. But in the last three elections, some media deliberately did not tell the truth, while some others were even forced not to tell the truth," he said. The reform commission chief said ensuring the participation of women voters and expatriate voters could be a challenge for the Election Commission. Read more: Our job is to make recommendations for electoral reform, not to implement: Badiul Alam Citing that the election system reform is important, Dr Majumdar said but time must be given for reform (in the electoral system).

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday said the formation of the Election Commission is an important step towards establishing an elected parliament and government. “The interim government has already reconstituted the Election Commission. We believe this is a significant step towards forming an elected parliament and government, with representatives chosen through the people's votes,” he said. The BNP leader made the remarks while addressing the annual general meeting of the Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) at the Jatiya Press Club. Tarique said it is a kind of reality that the recent mass uprising did not take place just for an election. “On the other hand, another harsh reality is that the fugitive dictator managed to establish fascism in the country by repeatedly forming governments without elections, rendering the people politically powerless. So, election is certainly a key issue in establishing people's rights in democratic political practice," he observed. He also said the election is necessary to empower the people and restore their ownership of the country. Tarique said that the state system should be structured in such a way that all public representatives, from union councils to parliament, are elected directly by the people in order to prevent the rise of fascism. He said it is essential to ensure voting rights for all citizens without any discrimination to build a Bangladesh free from discrepancy. No conflict With Govt over Reforms Tarique claimed that the BNP has no conflict with the interim government over the issue of reforms.  He, however, said a vested group is making malicious attempts to mislead the public by questioning whether reforms should come first or elections. "Those who seek to confuse the people with such questions have ulterior motives.” The BNP leader said his party believes reform is a continuous process that never truly ends. "One initiates the reform process, while another carries out the necessary changes," he explained. "All of us, whether in government or outside, must remember that without a qualitative transformation of democratic political culture, political reforms won’t be effective," he observed. Tarique urged the government to prioritise alleviating public hardships to ensure that reform efforts are meaningful and impactful. Staying Alert against Plots Tarique urged everyone, including journalists, to stay vigilant, warning that fascist forces and their supporters are conspiring against pro-Bangladesh and democratic forces, attempting to create division and raise their heads once again. “But I strongly believe that if we all remain alert, there will be no room for misunderstandings in the forces on the side of Bangladesh." He alleged that various conspiracies, both domestic and foreign, have begun to hinder the nation's ongoing journey towards establishing democracy. "The ousted dictator and his cronies are attempting to regain power through various tactics." The BNP leader also mentioned that many people sacrificed their lives and endured injuries during the July-August mass uprising to bring down Sheikh Hasina’s fascist regime. He alleged that various conspiracies have begun from inside and outside the country to obstruct the nation’s ongoing journey towards establishing democracy. “The ousted dictator and its henchmen have started trying to rise again with various tactics.” The BNP leader said many people sacrificed their lives and sustained injuries during the July-August mass uprising to bring down Sheikh Hasina’s fascist regime. "It is the responsibility of those of us who are still alive to repay the blood debt of the martyrs by establishing a democratic, just, and discrimination-free Bangladesh. At the same time, it is our duty to take all necessary steps to ensure that the fugitive autocrat and his associates are never rehabilitated in politics," he said. The BNP leader said proper legal and political action is essential to prevent the rehabilitation of fugitive mafias and their associates. "On one hand, they must be brought to justice. On the other hand, we must create a situation where the people will reject them politically," he stated. People’s Empowerment Tarique stressed the importance of ensuring people's empowerment by electing public representatives at all levels of government through direct voting in a credible election. "If this is ensured, no one will consider usurping power and becoming a fascist without the people's mandate," he stated. The BNP leader also said if the people are granted their right to vote, they will have the power to eliminate fascist forces. "That is why the BNP demands that elections be held promptly by completing necessary reforms. He said political empowerment of the people is vital to make murderers, robbers, mafias, dictators, and other political evils irrelevant in Bangladesh's politics. Tarique also emphasised that free, fair, and impartial elections, conducted within a reasonable timeframe, are crucial alongside the reform process. People’s Verdict Prevails The BNP acting chairman said the fleeing of the deposed Awami League regime and its cohorts has proven that it is not unlawful state power, but the people's verdict, that ultimately sustains. He said over the past one and a half decades, the people of Bangladesh have learned through bitter experience the consequences of turning dissent or differing opinions into animosity. "The escape of the fugitive autocrat, along with his illegitimate ministers, MPs, intellectuals, judges, the Khatib of Baitul Mukarram, the president and general secretary of the Jatiya Press Club, and certain journalists, has once again demonstrated that it is not illegal state power, but ultimately the verdict of the people that prevails," Tarique remarked. Speaking at the programme, Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar stated that the Awami League had not only destroyed the country’s institutions through politicisation, but had also stifled media independence in its quest to establish a fascist regime. He said the primary responsibility of the interim government is to ensure the establishment of a democratic government through free and fair elections. Parwar observed that many of the current government's decisions and actions are out of step with the desires of the public. The Jamaat leader called upon the government to implement the necessary reforms to ensure a credible election in the country. He opposed the formation of the Election Commission under a law enacted by the Awami League that he argued runs counter to the hopes and aspirations of people. Parwar urged political parties to unite in their efforts to oust the fascist Awami League through the election. "We, the democratic forces, can develop a strategy to achieve this," he said. He stated that the Awami League is not a democratic party and, as such, has no right to practice democracy. BNP Standing Committee member Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Joint Secretary General Shaheeduddin Chowdury Anee, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Dhaka South City unit Ameer Nurul Islam Bulbul, among others, spoke at the programme.

BNP senior leader Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Sunday thanked the interim government for forming a new Election Commission ((EC), describing it as a crucial step towards ensuring a credible election.  "We thank the interim government for taking a commendable initiative. They have established an Election Commission, which, I believe, is their most significant reform," he said. Speaking to reporters at the grave of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, Dr Moyeen said reform is an ongoing process that never truly ends. "The reforms we are undertaking today will need to be modified tomorrow.” He said the student-led mass movement has granted this government the mandate to transform the state from a dictatorship i to a democratic one. "This is their primary responsibility and mandate. To fulfill this mandate, a fair election must be held, after carrying out the necessary reforms." Dr Moyeen, a member of the BNP Standing Committee, said their party is providing full support to the interim government and will continue to do so in the future. “We urge the government not to unnecessarily delay the holding of a credible election and to implement only the necessary reforms,” he said. The BNP leader said the people of the country would regain their voting and other rights in the upcoming national election. BNP’s Farroque warns against election delay amid rising chaos “The true representatives of people will be elected, and an elected parliament will be established. This will pave the way for the formation of a government that truly represents the people,” he observed. Earlier, Dr Moyeen, along with BNP Chairperson's adviser and former UK chapter BNP president Mahidur Rahman, paid tribute to Ziaur Rahman by laying a wreath at his grave.  They also offered fateha and a munajat for the salvation of Zia’s departed soul.    

The newly appointed chief election commissioner (CEC) and four other commissioners are likely to take oath on Sunday afternoon. Shafiqul Islam, public relations officer of the Supreme Court, said the oath-taking ceremony is likely to be held at 1:30pm on Sunday. Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed is supposed to administer the swearing-in ceremony. Earlier on Thursday, former secretary AMM Md Nasir Uddin was appointed as CEC of the Bangladesh Election Commission. Along with him, four election commissioners were also named. Read: Newly appointed CEC, commissioners likely to take oath Sunday The 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 Mohammad Shahabuddin appointed them following section 118 (1) of the Constitution.

Welcoming the formation of the new Election Commission (EC), BNP senior leaders on Thursday hoped that the new Commission will focus on restoring the voting rights of people. “BNP wants the new Election Commission to work for bringing back the people’s right to franchise, without bowing to anyone's influence,” said party standing committee member Mirza Abbas. Giving his initial reaction to the EC formation, the BNP leader said the country’s people want a free and fair election, where they will be able to freely cast their votes to elect their representatives. He hoped that the government would promptly complete the reforms related to the electoral process and arrange the election to establish an elected government and parliament. Another BNP standing committee member, Gayeshwar Chandra, said the country’s people have long been deprived of their voting rights. He said the new commission should work independently and prioritise the restoration of voters' rights. Earlier in the day, the government formed the five-member new Election Commission, appointing former Secretary AMM Md Nasir Uddin as the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). The four other election 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 has appointed them following Section 118 (1) of the Constitution. According to sources at BNP, the party had proposed two names for the position of Chief Election Commissioner, one of which was AMM Nasir Uddin, who previously served as Secretary in the Ministries of Energy and Mineral Resources and Health. He retired in January 2009. The party also proposed the name of former Joint Secretary Begum Tahmida Ahmad for the appointment of commissioner. On November 6, the BNP submitted five names to the search committee formed by the interim government to appoint the next chief election commissioner and other commissioners. On October 31, the government formed the search committee for the formation of the Election Commission.