No scope for failure in holding free, fair elections: CEC

Staff Reporter  :

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin on Tuesday said there is no scope for any failure in carrying out the grave responsibility of organizing a free, fair, and acceptable election at this critical juncture for the country.

He made the remarks while addressing an exchange-of-views meeting on election management with returning officers and field-level administration officials at the auditorium of the Election Commission Building in Agargaon, Dhaka, marking the referendum and the 13th Jatiya Sangsad Election in 2026.

“In the true sense, almost all those who effectively keep the government functional at the field level—those who keep the country running—are present here today,” the CEC said.

“You know that we are standing at a transitional phase.” “At this critical moment, if we fail to properly discharge the grave responsibility entrusted to us, we will not be able to answer to future generations. There is no scope for failure in performing our respective duties,” he added.

Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam, Election Commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Begum Tahmida Ahmad, Md Anwarul Islam Sarker, and Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah, along with Election Commission Secretariat Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed and senior police officials who will be engaged in the upcoming elections, were present at the meeting.

The CEC said the Election Commission wants to demonstrate what the rule of law truly means. “We want to remove any collective allegations brought against us,” he said.

“We want to prove that we can conduct a proper and fair election, and this is possible only through the rule of law,” he added, stressing that the law is equal for everyone.

Calling upon all concerned to perform their duties with awareness and responsibility, the CEC said the entire administration of Bangladesh stands on the officials present at the meeting.

“Whenever you take courageous steps, strive to establish the rule of law, and work in accordance with rules and regulations, the Election Commission will stand by you,” he said.

Expressing optimism, the CEC said that with collective efforts all election-related responsibilities could be carried out properly without deviation. He urged everyone to perform their duties correctly, timely, and effectively.