Staff Reporter :
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on Monday said the Chief Adviser of the interim government has taken every step necessary to guarantee that the Election Commission (EC) can carry out its duties independently.
“The Chief Adviser has created an environment where we can work freely. At no point has he tried to influence or pressure us in any way. We have not faced any form of interference from his office,” he told reporters.
The CEC made the remarks after holding a meeting with Tracy Ann Jacobson, Chargé d’affaires of the US Embassy in Bangladesh, at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital’s Agargaon area.
Nasir Uddin added, “I informed her that we are functioning smoothly and without disruption.”
Highlighting the need for government support, he said, “It is not possible to hold an election without the involvement of the government.
The Election Commission cannot conduct elections alone. We need law enforcement, the army, the BGB, financial resources, returning officers and polling officials-all of whom are government staff.
Therefore, the government’s cooperation is essential, and they are fully prepared to extend it.”
According to the CEC, the Chief Adviser has already instructed all government agencies to complete election-related preparations by December.
Underscoring that the EC is fully engaged in election readiness, he said, “We are preparing in such a way that we can hold the polls whenever the government decides. We do not want to be blamed for any shortcomings.
I assured her that our preparations are being made with that responsibility in mind.”
Nasir Uddin noted that after the Chief Adviser’s televised address to the nation, the Commission received an official letter the very next day. “In that letter, he requested us to arrange the national election before Ramadan next year. Since then, we have accelerated our work, and many major tasks are already underway,” he said.
When asked about differing views among political parties, the CEC responded, “I have confidence in our political parties. I believe they will act in the interest of the nation. Eventually, they will find common ground.”
He further added, “The Chief Adviser has already initiated dialogue. While the consensus commission was previously tasked with this responsibility, from yesterday I noticed that he himself has resumed direct discussions.”
