‘Election to bring derailed electoral system back on track’
Staff Reporter :
Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah on Wednesday said the upcoming election would help restore the country’s derailed electoral system and bring it back on track.
“If I use an analogy, the 2026 election is like putting a derailed train back on the track and making it run again,” he said while speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of a project of the Alliance for Fair Election and Democracy (AFED) at the NGO Bureau office in Agargaon.
Sanaullah said the first phase of reform would be achieved if the Election Commission could revive the electoral process through minimum repairs and replacement of some parts, rather than sweeping changes.
Referring to public expectations, he said there is a significant democratic vacuum in the country, noting that the absence of credible elections has left Bangladesh in a situation similar to the pre-2008 period.
“Given this reality, expectations must be aligned with what is realistically achievable,” he added. On election observers, the commissioner said many citizen observer organisations failed to play a proper role during the last three controversial elections, which constrained the Commission in granting registrations.
He said although more than 300 organisations applied, only 81 were approved. “I would have been happier if we could register 200 or 300 organisations instead of 81,” he said.
Sanaullah also noted that the minimum age for election observers has been lowered to 21, allowing broader participation but raising concerns over lack of experience.
Calling for collective efforts, he urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure a credible, conscience-driven election in 2026.
On postal voting, he said about 1.533 million voters at home and abroad have completed registration. Citing global experience, he said overseas voter participation worldwide averages around 2.7 percent, while Bangladesh has exceeded 5 percent, which he termed a positive start.
However, he cautioned that globally around 24 percent of ballots are wasted.
He urged observers to remain vigilant, saying their feedback would be crucial to improving the newly introduced postal voting system.
The event was attended by Democracy Watch chairperson Talleya Rahman, Khan Foundation co-chair Roksana Khondker, and representatives from various government and non-government organisations.