No individual or institution in the country can fully claim to have complete credibility, and this lack of trust is a national crisis, Election Commissioner Md Anwarul Islam Sarkar said on Thursday.
He made the remark at a meeting with the Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy (RFED) at the Election Commission building in Agargaon, Dhaka.
During the meeting, he stressed the importance of collaboration among all parties involved to rebuild public confidence.
“We must all work together to hold a successful election. By engaging in further discussions, sharing experiences from the field, and analysing these challenges collectively, we can minimise errors and make informed decisions,” he noted.
He expressed optimism that dialogue would resolve these issues, given that all parties share the same objective.
The meeting was chaired by Election Commission Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, with election commissioners Begum Tahmida Ahmad, Md Anwarul Islam Sarkar, and Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah also in attendance.
Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud emphasised the crucial role of journalists in ensuring the transparency of the electoral process, reaffirming the Election Commission’s strong stance against any form of malpractice during the elections.
“We have a zero-tolerance policy for irregularities in the elections. While errors may occur, we will never condone injustice,” he stated.
During the event, RFED President Kazi Emad Uddin presented several proposals to amend the draft Policy Guidelines for Journalists and Media Professionals Covering Elections 2025.
Abdur Rahmanel Masud further assured the journalists, saying, “We are committed to making it easier for you to carry out your work. While mistakes may happen, we will not allow any unjust actions. We seek your cooperation in this regard.”
He added that any proposed amendments to the policy will be carefully examined, ensuring that those which best promote transparency, fairness, and the public interest will be adopted.
“We are determined to ensure a free and transparent election,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, Kazi Emad Uddin highlighted the importance of ensuring that all election-related information, from candidacy to result announcements, remains accessible to the media.
