Bangladesh is now standing at a critical juncture, and the direction the country will take depends on the upcoming election, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin said on Monday.
He made the remarks while addressing a security drill for polling centres conducted by the Ansar-VDP and a closing training event for its members ahead of the national election.
The CEC said that one million people will be engaged in election duties this time. Arrangements have also been made for those in prison and abroad to vote through registration on an app.
However, he noted that a fair election is not possible without the cooperation of political parties.
“The Ansar members will play a major role in the election. In terms of numbers, this is the largest force. This time, they cannot work in a routine manner; they must go beyond that. Everyone must also remain alert against any propaganda spread on social media through the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI),” the CEC said.
At the event, Director General of Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party Major General Abdul Motaleb Sajjad Mahmud said that around 500,000 Ansar members will be deployed in the upcoming parliamentary election.
He said that 145,000 new members have been recruited over the past year and their basic training will continue until December. The Ansar force will provide all necessary assistance to the Election Commission not only in conducting the polls but also in election campaign activities.
He added that Ansar members will also carry out awareness campaigns on voter responsibilities. Those with complaints against them will be excluded and not assigned to election duties. The major general said the Ansar force will play a stronger role in this election than in any previous one.
