Leaders of various political parties have said that the newly formed Election Commission (EC) must demonstrate its competence through its performance, gaining the trust of all stakeholders.
Following the swearing-in of the chief election commissioner and four election commissioners on Sunday, political leaders emphasised that the new commission must act with caution, as public scrutiny will be heightened due to the timing of their appointment.
BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan remarked that the new EC assumes office amid significant public expectations. Consequently, it must fulfil the aspirations of millions who have been denied their voting rights for years.
“Regardless of others’ opinions, their actions will define them. Their performance will speak volumes. We hope they can meet the expectations of the people of Bangladesh, who have been unable to vote in the last three national parliamentary elections,” he told The Daily Sun.
The veteran leader expressed hope that the newly appointed EC would organise a free, fair, and impartial election as soon as possible.
Leaders of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami noted that the EC’s activities would be closely monitored, as the commission has taken office during a critical transitional period.
“They face a monumental task ahead. Preparing a comprehensive and accurate voter list should be their first priority. Additionally, creating an environment conducive to a credible election by earning the trust of all stakeholders will be a significant challenge,” said Advocate Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair, assistant secretary general of Jamaat-e-Islami.
He added that the EC must ensure the impartiality of law enforcement agencies, civil administration, and other stakeholders during the pre-election period, on election day, and in the post-election phase, so that citizens feel confident in casting their votes.
The Jamaat leader also highlighted lingering uncertainties regarding the method of the next parliamentary elections, suggesting this could complicate the EC’s role.
“There is still ambiguity about whether the next election will follow the traditional constituency-based format or adopt a proportional representation system. If a new system is implemented, the EC will need to work extensively to raise public awareness,” he explained.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Bangladesh Ruhin Hossain Prince observed that the new EC might have certain advantages over its predecessors.
“Only time will reveal the effectiveness of this Election Commission. For now, they appear to be in a favourable position as they will oversee elections under an interim government, without the direct interference of political parties,” he said.
However, he cautioned that interest groups are pressuring the interim government on various issues. “The new EC must be vigilant, maintaining independence from vested interests and learning from the errors of previous commissions,” he added.
Meanwhile, the National Citizens Committee has rejected the new EC, which was formed under legislation enacted by the ousted Awami League government. At a press conference on Sunday at its central office in the capital, the committee a new platform of student leaderscondemned the formation of the EC prior to completing electoral reforms.
“The interim government has been coerced into forming the EC under political pressure. This undermines the spirit of the mass uprising,” stated Samantha Sharmeen, spokesperson for the National Citizens Committee.
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