Former Secretary AMM Md Nasir Uddin has been appointed as Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of the Bangladesh Election Commission.    Along with him, four election commissioners have been appointed.. 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. Read: Search Committee will appoint honest, fearless Election Commission members: Cabinet secretary President Mohammed Shahabuddin has appointed them following section 118 (1) of the Constitution. The orders will be effective soon. Two separate notifications, signed by Cabinet Secretary Dr Sheikh Abdur Rashid were issued in this regard on Thursday.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal said on Thursday that no election is above controversy and even the 12th parliamentary national election is not. "No election has gone beyond controversy. The election we are satisfied with has not gone beyond controversy," he said. The CEC made the remarks while addressing a thanksgiving event for holding the 12th parliamentary election in a fair and successful manner at the auditorium of Nirbachan Bhaban on Thursday. Russian Election Commission invites CEC Habibul Awal, others to observe presidential elections in the country He said that the recently held election was not very participatory as a major party not only boycotted the election but also wanted to prevent it from taking place. “The nation has finally been content as the election was held,” he said. Mentioning that both slander and bad name have to be taken, he said that it is not possible to make such a big job successful without the support of the government. “The nation has overcome the crisis through the election,” he said. Anyone can challenge the percentage of voter turnout: CEC The Election Commission does not get acceptance if the politicians do not have confidence, he said. Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Md. Ahsan Habib Khan said, "I have been successful by working with faith. I can't go down from the standard I reached. We will show you how this commission works. It will be exemplary for the future.” Another Commissioner Anisur Rahman said they were firm that they would take their decision if they could not hold a free, fair and peaceful election. About the turnout of the voters, he said there would not be any confusion if the last briefing on the voting turnout was with three pieces of information at 3:30 pm. “If challenged, we can show it. This is the first time that an election investigation committee formed in every constituency has worked. The executive magistrates also did a good job,” he said. CEC estimates 40 per cent turnout in Sunday’s election, appreciates govt cooperation Highlighting the election process, commissioner Md Alamgir said they have successfully completed party registration, voter list, demarcation of constituencies, and recruitment of election officers, holding dialogue and observers’ registration. Chaired by EC Secretary Md Jahangir Alam, other election commissioners spoke on the occasion.

Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal has "categorically" said there is no pressure on the voters to go to vote centres to cast vote but pressure is seen regarding distribution of leaflets urging people not to go to vote centres. “There is no such pressure from the Election Commission, even he has no evidence of as such," Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen quoted the CEC as saying during a briefing arranged for the diplomats stationed in Dhaka on Thursday. Independent candidate for Sylhet-3 says election rally attacked by AL candidate's campaigners The CEC made remarks when one of the diplomats wanted to know his comments regarding pressure on voters to go to vote centres. The CEC, however, gave a counter reply mentioning distribution of leaflets by a political party (BNP) which is boycotting polls and urging people not to go to vote centres. The foreign secretary said over 50 diplomats and representatives from international organisations joined the briefing hosted by the Election Commission. Election 2024: Armed forces deployed across the country CEC Awal gave an update regarding preparations of January 7 polls which was followed by a question-and-answer session. The foreign secretary said such a opportunity is rare for the foreign diplomats as national election takes place in every five years. He hoped that the briefing will help the diplomats to let know their respective countries know about the election through their comprehensive reports. The diplomats remain in touch with the EC and they remain updated through frequent exchanges, Masud Momen said. Chuadanga-1: Jatiya Party candidate withdraws from election, alleging lack of cooperation from party The diplomats are kept fully informed and that is why there were not too many questions, he said. The foreign secretary said the international observers and journalists have started arriving in Dhaka. They can observer polls in Dhaka and other places across the country if they feel convenient, he said. The EC made sure that there is no deficit in terms of preparation to the polls successfully.

Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal on Saturday urged candidates to strictly follow the electoral code of conduct. “Follow electoral code strictly and to come out of the belief that irregularities must be done in the voting field,” he said while speaking at a view exchange meeting with the election candidates at Returning Officer’s auditorium in Barishal. EC orders withdrawal of Barishal, Sylhet police commissioners, 1 DC and 5 SPs “We want to ensure a free, fair and neutral election and won’t spare anyone if they try to obstruct it,”the CEC added. If there is an allegation of vote rigging in any polling booth then the Election Commission will suspend balloting in the polling station, he said. Police foil BNP’s human chain in Barishal Barishal Divisional Commissioner Shawkat Ali presided over the meeting while Election Commission Secretary Mohammad Jahangir Alam, Barishal Range Deputy Inspector General Jamil Hasan, Police Commissioner Jihadul Kabir, returning officer and Deputy Commissioner Shahidul Islam were present there. UP member hacked to death in Barishal

BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Sunday said their party expects nothing from current Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal as he is working as a ‘tool’ of the government. “The statements he (CEC) is making manifest that he’s thinking of putting (Awami League) in power though stealing (votes) like in the past. So, there is no reason to expect from him,” he told a seminar. Instead of focusing on the polls, the BNP leader also said the CEC has been making contradictory comments about the government’s assistance in holding the next general election. “What this man (CEC) is doing now is his job since he was put there as a tool of the fascist regime. His task is to put Sheikh Hasina in power again by stealing votes in the next election. What do you expect from him? You can't expect anything from them,” he observed. US pre-election monitoring team to meet BNP Monday The seminar titled 'Acceptable National Elections: Election-time Neutral Government, Structural Reforms and the Role of Major Stakeholders organized by NDM’s Think Tank, 'Governance and Policy Research-GPR), at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity Office. Professor AKM Waresul Karim presented the keynote at the programme. Khosru, a BNP standing committee member, also said no institution of the country, including the judiciary is now functional under the rule of the current regime. BNP announces fresh programme with renewed focus on Dhaka  He said all institutions are now serving the ‘fascist’ regime while the media outlets are being regulated. “The only way to get rid of this situation is to remove this regime through united efforts. This is not a single party's struggle as this is a struggle for the freedom of the country’s 18 crore people. Bangladesh became independent once through the Liberation War. It’s now the second liberation war for establishing democracy in the country,” the BNP leader said. Khosru alleged that the Awami League government annulled the polls-time non-party government system, which was added to the constitution based on national consensus, as part of its plan to hang onto power. "The cancellation of this provision by the court was unconstitutional and illegal.” BNP trashes Quader’s claim about ‘clandestine’ understating with US He said their party has already presented a 31-point proposal to restore democratic politics and build the country through various reforms after the fall of the current regime. The BNP leader said they their party wants the removal of Sheikh Hasina’s government to restore true democracy, human rights, the rule of law, press freedom, and freedom of expression and ensure a level playing field and equal rights of all. Nationalist Democratic Movement (NDM chairman Bobby Hajjaj, BNP joint secretary general Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal and AB Party member secretary Mujibur Rahman Monju, among others, spoke at the seminar.  

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Tuesday said the schedule for the presidential election will be announced on Wednesday ( tomorrow). CEC Awal said this while talking to the media at his office in the city's Agargaon area after holding a meeting with Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury at national parliament. Kazi Awal said the schedule of the presidential election will be disclosed after a meeting of the election commission to be held at 11 am tomorrow in the Election Commission. Parliament Secretariat Senior Secretary KM Abdus Salam and Election Commission (EC) Secretary Md Jahangir Alam were present during the meeting. Director ( Public Relations) of Parliament Tarik Mahmud said CEC met the Speaker of the Parliament and discussed the presidential election. Read more: Presidential election within February 23 : EC secretary Speaker Shirin Sharmin thanked the Chief Election Commissioner after being apprised of the developments. CEC informed the Speaker that they are ready to conduct the election in due time. According to the Constitution, a new president has to be elected within 90 to 60 days prior to the end of the incumbent president's tenure. The previous presidential election schedule was announced on January 25, 2018. Abdul Hamid was elected president unopposed for the second term on 6 February though the election slated for 18 February. President Abdul Hamid is set to complete his tenure on April 23 this year. Read more: CEC meets Speaker Tuesday to discuss presidential election

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Wednesday said that the election commission will examine the reasons behind the slow voting through EVM during the Rangpur City Corporation Election (RCC). “Some problems have been reported in the Rangpur City Corporation election. We’ve got complaints of slow vote casting through EVMs (electronic voting machines),” the CEC told the reporters after a post-election meeting of Rangpur City Corporation at the Election Commission Bhaban. “EC does not want to see such problem in future. So discussions are ongoing with all parties,” he said. Read more: Election violence under present EC drops to zero: CEC Although there had been less fingerprint problem in RCC election, the vote casting was slow due to various reasons, said the CEC.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Thursday said the Election Commission will take action against 133 officials for their negligence in duty during Gaibandha-5 by-election. The CEC made the remark during a briefing at the Election Commission building in Dhaka. Gaibandha-5 by-election was suspended amid allegations of “malpractices” on October 12 this year. “A returning officer conducts the whole election. It his routine duty to visit the polling centres as many times as possible. But he neglected his duties. He visited the centres with Deputy Commissioners and Police Supers when the CEC informed him about the irregularities over telephone,” he said. He also said the returning officer was supposed to visit and check to ensure that all activities were being carried out according to law and take immediate initiative to prevent any unwanted incident. “But he absolutely failed to perform their duties. He did not find any irregularities in the electoral area. When the CEC was about to take the decision to suspend the election, the returning officer suspended the voting of a centre to demonstrate his performance,” he said. Read more: Gaibandha-5 by-election: Wait for a decision, says CEC Had he performed his duties properly, it would have been possible to prevent the irregularities in the early stage, CEC Awal said. The CEC also said that the EC Secretary has been instructed to take action against the accused returning officer. Gaibandha-5 by election will be held in due time according to the constitution, he added. Earlier, the CEC extended the deadline for holding the Gaibandha-5 polls till January 30. According to the constitution, if any constituency falls vacant then the position must be filled within 90 days through an election. Read more: 'Gaibandha by-election was an isolated case': Election Commissioner 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. But the EC cancelled the election because of “widespread malpractices” on the election day on October 12.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal said on Saturday that a comprehensive decision will be taken within seven days after a full investigation involving the cancellation of voting at Gaibandha-5 parliamentary seat. He said that the initial investigation by a committee appointed by the Election Commission was partial, and they need a full investigation to reach a final decision. The CEC made the remarks in response to reporters' questions while monitoring the by-election vote in Faridpur-2 constituency on Saturday morning. Also read: No decision taken yet over suspended Gaibandha -5 polls: CEC Awal said that the EC has only observed 51 closed centres, while a committee has been constituted to analyse the remaining 94 centres' CCTV footage at Gaibandha-5. "They will report within seven days. Then a coordinated decision will be taken," he said. EC’s Additional Secretary Ashok Kumar Debnath, who headed the committee, submitted the report to EC Secretary Humayun Kabir Khandaker. Also read: EC extends deadline for Gaibandha-5 by-polls by 90 days 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, or till January 20, 2023. While there was no concrete decision over if a new election will be held, pending an investigation into malpractices on the election day, the EC said that the deadline has been extended to follow the rule of 90 days in holding an election after a seat falls vacant. 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.

Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal on Saturday asked deputy commissioners and superintendents of police to be aware of their duties to deal with any intimidation in the next general elections expected to be held late next year or in the beginning of 2024. “If any illegal interferences in the election are not handled with an iron hand, that’s not an election, that’s a farce,” he said. Read: EC to sit with DCs, SPs ahead of election “This could have a serious negative impact on the next election. You must be accountable. So, in the future, you will exercise all the necessary powers to successfully conduct each election,” he said. His statement came when the Election Commission held a meeting with deputy commissioners and superintendents of police from across the country on Saturday to discuss issues related to next general elections. The meeting was crucial to build up momentum ahead of the next national elections amid threats by BNP and its allies that they will not take part in the elections under a partisan government. But the government has been arguing that there is no such provision in the constitution of returning to a controversial caretaker government system to oversee the elections. The previous caretaker government system was nullified through the 15th amendment to the constitution in 2011 after the Supreme Court struck down the 13th amendment that had introduced the system in 1996. On Thursday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged all political parties to join the national elections. Saturday’s meeting was held at the auditorium of the Election Commission in the capital city, Dhaka. The CEC in the meeting said that a stricter stand by the DCs and the SPs would reinforce the people’s interest and trust in the electoral process, encouraging them to exercise their voting rights. Next elections to local government bodies also came up in the discussion. The CEC reminded the DCs and SPs of avoiding their own political ideologies when they play their role. “You are public servants,” he said. Read EVMs in 150 constituencies: EC finalises Tk 8,711cr project "You will have to be neutral in your position. You must follow your duty according to the laws of the land. This is the expectation of the people. You have to earn trust by fulfilling the expectations of the people with the application of all rules and regulations," he added. The CEC also said it is not the issue of the Election Commission to resolve disputes among bickering political parties. “The EC cannot interfere in the political decisions as the constitution, laws and rules have set our scope of work, power and responsibilities. Political problems should be settled politically,” he said. He also said the DCs and SPs must understand the importance of forming new national government and local government bodies through elections in a democratic system. He said that the EC has proof that it is easier to control violence, rigging in polls by using Electronic Voting Machine (EVM). “We have decided to use EVMs in not more than 150 seats but we will have preparation to hold elections through ballot paper in all seats if needed,” said CEC. In the 12th National Parliamentary Election, votes will be cast in 42-45,000 centres simultaneously in one day which is not an easy task but not impossible, he added. Other election commissioners and top officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Additional IGP attended the meeting.