Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin said on Monday that the commission did not operate under any specific “design” while conducting 13th parliamentary election.
“We didn’t work with any design. Our design was only how to hold a free, fair and credible election,” the CEC remarked during the inaugural ceremony of the newly elected Executive Committee of Reporters’ Forum for Election and Democracy (RFED).
The event took place at the Electoral Training Institute (ETI) in Agargaon.
Nasir noted that EC received total cooperation and support from the interim government throughout the general election.
He emphasised that there was no interference from the authorities, adding that the former chief adviser had explicitly instructed the administration to refrain from intervening in the commission’s work.
Regarding future local government elections, the CEC stressed that full cooperation from political parties is essential for ensuring fair and peaceful proceedings. He encouraged political parties to engage in dialogue, if required, to ensure the local polls are held in a peaceful manner.
Updating on the status of these elections, the CEC mentioned that a formal timetable has not yet been finalised.
He explained that the EC is currently focused on the amendment of rules and electoral codes.
The ceremony featured varying perspectives on the election. While Whip Mia Nuruddin Ahammed Opu praised the commission for delivering a credible election, the process was criticised by Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad and NCP Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary.
The event was attended by election commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida Ahmad, Anwarul Islam Sarker, and Brig Gen (Retd) Abdul Fazal Md Sanaullah.
Other notable guests included National Press Club President Hasan Hafiz, newly elected RFED President Kazi Amad Uddin Jabel, and General Secretary Eakarm-Udd Dowla.
