Upcoming national polls to determine country’s future course: CEC
NN ONLINE:
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin today said that the forthcoming Jatiya Sangsad (JS) elections will decide the country’s future course.
“The question now is which path we will take — the path of democracy or away from it — and that depends on this election. We aim to deliver a participatory, free, fair, and acceptable election so that democracy moves forward,” he said.
The CEC made the remarks while addressing as the chief guest at the inspection programme of security drills by Ansar and VDP members for polling centres in the upcoming national elections and the 2025–‘26 fourth-phase basic training of Ansar Company or platoon members.
“To ensure a good election, not only the Election Commission (EC) but also voters, law enforcement agencies, political parties, and journalists must work together. A fair election is not possible without collective cooperation,” he said. The CEC added, “I am not only the CEC but also a citizen, and as a citizen, it is my duty to make this election a success.”
Terming the Ansar-VDP training an “investment”, the CEC said that the Ansar and VDP members would shoulder one of the most crucial responsibilities in the upcoming national elections. “Training is an investment — The more they are trained, the more efficient and confident they become in discharging their duties.”
Referring to fake information on social media, he said, “With the use of AI, false news can spread easily. Therefore, no information should be shared without verification”. In this context, he said the Ansar members can help raise awareness about this at the grassroots level. He informed that a special cell has been formed in the Election Commission to verify and prevent the spread of false information.
Mentioning that officials on election duty will also be able to vote this time, the CEC said, “From now on, officials and employees engaged in election duties will be able to cast their votes.” The Election Commission is going to launch the ‘Postal Voting App’ on November 16, through which on-duty officials can register and vote by postal ballots, he added.
“Those on duty were previously unable to vote. This time, we are ensuring that opportunity. Ballots will reach their designated addresses, and they will be able to vote within the specified time,” he continued. The CEC further said that the Election Commission is also taking special measures to ensure voting rights for expatriate voters and citizens under lawful custody (prisoners).
He expressed the hope that the trained Ansar and VDP members would perform their duties responsibly and play an important role in advancing the country’s democratic progress. Bangladesh Ansar and VDP Director General (DG) Major General Abdul Motaleb Sazzad Mahmud said that a fully digital platform would be used to manage election security in the upcoming national polls.
“Ansar members deployed at each polling centre will instantly upload incident reports and photos, which will be viewed immediately by the respective response teams — army, police, or Ansar — for prompt action,” he said adding, “This will make election coordination more effective and transparent.”
The DG added that young members aged between 18 and 25 would play the key role in the coming elections, noting that their courage, skills, and sense of responsibility would bring new momentum to electoral security. “The entire deployment process will be conducted through the digital AVIMS software, under which 100 percent digital registration of members will be mandatory,” he said.
The previous system of group-based deployment has been permanently discontinued, ensuring greater electoral transparency, he added.