Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has said the Election Commission (EC) is determined to uphold the rule of law by ensuring a fair, peaceful, and credible national election.
“We want to show what the rule of law truly means. Together, with neutrality and discipline, we will deliver a beautiful, transparent election, InshaAllah,” he said while addressing a workshop with polling officials in Chattogram on Saturday.
The CEC emphasised that the commission’s goal is to hold a free, fair, and participatory election, adding that the role of trained, neutral, and responsible officers is crucial to achieving that objective.
He noted, “Security remains the biggest challenge in Bangladesh’s elections,” stressing stronger coordination among the administration and law enforcement agencies to overcome administrative, legal, and technological challenges.
Urging polling officials to perform their duties strictly within the law, he warned, “Any negligence in exercising authority will be considered a dereliction of duty.”
He also said the polling training programs must be designed to help people from diverse professional backgrounds- especially those with no prior experience in election duties- become capable and confident.
Instead of a “one size fits all” model, the training modules should reflect participants’ backgrounds. To ensure swift action during emergencies, the EC is forming a “Central Coordination Cell” and an “Emergency Response Unit.”
He remarked, “Effective coordination among presiding officers, returning officers, the administration, and law enforcement is essential for success.”
Addressing the growing challenge of misinformation, he said the commission has set up a dedicated unit to combat fake news and AI-generated propaganda on social media. However, he admitted that more public awareness is needed about the unit’s operations.
