CEC urges nat’l unity to establish voting rights

Staff Reporter :

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin emphasised the need for national unity to establish the voting rights of the people of the country.

He stated that without national unity, it is impossible to secure people’s right to vote as well as their dignity. Otherwise, all sacrifices made will be in vain.

He made these remarks while attending the inauguration of the “Voter List Update Programme-2025” at the Upazila Parishad Auditorium in Savar Upazila, Dhaka.

Noting that people have lost interest in voting, the CEC pointed out that failure to prepare an accurate voter list would hinder the establishment of voting rights. Drawing a parallel, he referred to a recent border conflict in which Bangladeshi citizens fought to claim ownership of land.

“Similarly, we want the entire nation to join us in this struggle to establish voting rights,” he said.

Speaking as the chief guest, he remarked, “The day people can vote freely, fairly, and without intimidation or fear-when they can choose their candidates-that will be the day voting rights are truly established.

We have embarked on this struggle to achieve that goal, but we cannot do it alone.”
He stressed the importance of public participation, saying, “We want to define what an election truly means.

This is a long journey, beginning with the voter list update programme and continuing through voting and results. We need the cooperation of people from all walks of life.”

“The August 5 revolution has presented us with a significant opportunity. If we miss this chance, I do not know when we will get another. Among many opportunities, this is the one to exercise our right to vote,” he said.

“Through this revolution, we now have the opportunity to establish this right. The first step in this process is updating an accurate voter list. As we begin this journey towards voting, our initial task is to include every eligible voter,” he added.

Nasir Uddin reiterated that the responsibility of holding a national election is not the Election Commission’s alone.

“When a national election is held, it becomes a collective national responsibility. This is a constitutional obligation.

We have always had the support of civil servants in the past, and we expect the same this time. However, we also request the general public to cooperate with us, especially in motivating women voters to understand the value of voting and participate actively,” he said.

Addressing the younger generation, the CEC said, “Many of us became voters but could not cast our votes. Some have even shed blood for this cause. If we fail to ensure that they can vote, we fail in our commitment to the nation.

There are 18 crore people who have been deprived of this right. Who will address their deprivation if we do not?”

He added, “The Election Commission wants to address this deprivation and seize the opportunity to ensure voting rights. We urge everyone to motivate people to make the most of this chance.”

The inauguration ceremony of the “Voter List Update Programme-2025” was chaired by Additional Secretary of the Election Commission Secretariat KM Ali Newaz. Special guests included Bangladesh Police DIG (Dhaka Range) AKM Awlad Hossain, Dhaka Divisional Commissioner Sharaf Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury, and Election Commissioners Brig Gen (Retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah, Md Anwarul Islam Sarkar, Begum Tahmida Ahmed, and Abdur Rahman el Masud.