CEC says 'no preset plan' guided BD election process

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin has said the Election Commission did not operate with any fixed “design” in conducting the 13th parliamentary election and that its only objective was to ensure a free, fair and credible vote.

Speaking on Monday at the inaugural ceremony of the newly elected Executive Committee of the Reporters’ Forum for Election and Democracy (RFED) at the Electoral Training Institute in Agargaon, Dhaka, Nasir Uddin said, "We didn’t work with any design. Our design was only how to hold a free, fair and credible election.”

He said the commission received full support and cooperation from the interim government during the February 12 parliamentary election. He also said there was no interference from the then interim administration in the work of the Election Commission.

According to him, the former chief adviser of the interim government had instructed his administration not to interfere in the commission’s activities during the election period.

Turning to future polls, Nasir Uddin said preparations for upcoming local government elections were still ongoing and that the timetable had not yet been finalised. He said the commission was currently working on amendments to electoral rules and codes.

He stressed that political parties would need to cooperate fully to ensure peaceful and credible local elections. He also suggested that, if necessary, parties should sit together for discussions to support a smooth electoral process.

Several senior officials and political figures attended the event, including four election commissioners, Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida Ahmad, Anwarul Islam Sarker and Brigadier General (Retired) Abdul Fazal Md Sanaullah, along with Whip Mia Nuruddin Ahammed Opu, Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, and National Citizens Party Chief Coordinator Nasir Uddin Patwary.

National Press Club President Hasan Hafiz and newly elected RFED President Kazi Amad Uddin Jabel and General Secretary Eakarm-Udd Dowla were also present.

Whip Mia Nuruddin Ahammed Opu praised the Election Commission for conducting what he described as a credible election in February. However, Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad and NCP Chief Coordinator Nasir Uddin Patwary criticised the conduct of the 13th parliamentary election.