Dhaka: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin announced today that preparations for the upcoming national elections must conclude by October if they are to occur in December. The CEC emphasized the need for a finalized election schedule by October, along with necessary reforms in the legal framework and regulations, including the registration of new political parties and the delimitation of electoral boundaries.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the CEC made these remarks at a function organized by the Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy (RFED) at Nirbachon Bhaban in Agargaon. The event was presided over by RFED president Ekramul Huq Sayem, with general secretary M Humayun Kabir serving as moderator.
The CEC expressed optimism about the elections taking place in a festive atmosphere, noting that the chief adviser has indicated the 13th national parliament elections will be held within one and a half years. He highlighted ongoing preparations, including the updating of voter lists and steps for electoral law reform, while taking into account the challenges posed by the rainy season in June.
Addressing concerns about proposed reforms, Nasir Uddin noted that some suggestions from the Electoral Reform Commission could potentially reduce the Election Commission’s autonomy. He stressed the importance of maintaining the EC’s independence, cautioning against reforms that would place its activities under the oversight of a parliamentary standing committee.
The CEC underscored the necessity for the EC to retain sole authority over updating voter lists and delimiting electoral boundaries, rejecting any external interventions. He acknowledged that while various recommendations for reforming the electoral system exist, implementing them remains challenging.
Further, the CEC disagreed with recommendations to remove the EC’s authority over electoral boundary delimitation, affirming that this responsibility falls within the EC’s jurisdiction. He credited the early start of voter list updates to logistical support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Nasir Uddin also highlighted the difficulties faced by the EC due to the absence of clear guidelines, which hinder progress in election-related tasks, such as the registration of political parties and the delimitation of electoral boundaries. He emphasized the urgent need for legal amendments to facilitate these processes.