Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin has said that the commission does not intend to engage in politics rather it wants to ensure a free and fair election.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin has said that the commission does not intend to engage in politics rather it wants to ensure a free and fair election.
Nasir Uddin said, "We do not want to enter politics. We will remain within the framework of laws, rules, and regulations. We want to ensure a free and fair game where all players can participate freely. To achieve this, we aim to prepare a level playing field."
The CEC made these remarks at an event in Dhaka on Sunday while the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) was handing over laptops, scanners, and other equipment to him for updating the voter list.
The CEC said, "Historically, UNDP has been a development partner of Bangladesh. When they met me in December, I requested their support for updating the voter list and the electoral process. I am amazed at how quickly they have provided the equipment. They have supplied laptops, scanners, and cameras, which are being distributed today.
I hope this support will also contribute to ensuring a free and fair national election in the future. The voter list update will begin on January 20, and today, hundreds of laptops, scanners, and cameras are being provided. Insha'Allah, more equipment will continue to arrive in the future. I hope they will assist in the entire registration process."
“We are doing it (updating the voter lists) to clear the doubts. We are engaging so many people in the field. We are certainly hopeful that all doubts will be cleared, Inshallah,” he said, replying to a question from reporters at an event held in Nirbachan Bhaban here.
Nasir Uddin said they have planned to complete the voter list updating programme within six months and some 65,000 people will work in this huge programme.
“We will have frantic efforts to finish this job by this six months,” he said.
The CEC said some 65,000 people will work at different levels so that the commission can complete this work quickly and within the specified time as the EC has taken a huge programme.
Replying to a question over BNP's demand for holding the national election in the middle of this year, the CEC said they don't enter into political statements (debates) and will stay within the laws, rules, and regulations. “We want to present free and fair elections,” he said.
When asked whether the Commission is working within the government’s declared timeline, the CEC confirmed their preparations align with the timeframe outlined by the chief adviser. “We are working with that in mind,” he said.
About UNDP's support, he said the EC would seek assistance from UNDP throughout the electoral process. “We hope they will continue to support us,” he said.
