Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on Monday said the overall law and order situation in the country will continue to improve as polling day approaches, expressing full confidence in a peaceful and inclusive election environment.
Speaking to reporters after inspecting the Postal Department’s Mail Centre in Tejgaon, Dhaka, he said the Election Commission (EC) remains “100 per cent optimistic” about the voting atmosphere. Although recent developments related to the Hadi issue had caused some public concern, he noted that fear among voters would gradually subside as the election draws closer.
“As election day nears, law and order will improve further, and the sense of fear among candidates and voters will diminish,” the CEC said.
He added that there are currently no obstacles to holding the election in a festive manner, stressing that the EC, political parties and voters share a common commitment to the electoral process.
Nasir Uddin said the commission is determined to implement the assurances given by the Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and expressed hope that the upcoming polls would help restore public confidence in the Election Commission.
Referring to the country’s first-ever postal ballot system, the CEC said the initiative is expected to emerge as a global role model. While acknowledging initial registration challenges due to the system’s large scale, he said the EC is satisfied with the progress and expects a significant rise in registrations within the next three days.
He urged voters wishing to cast ballots by post, including those within the country, to complete their registration promptly, noting that only three days remain for enrolment.
The CEC said the commission had overcome several global and technical challenges in implementing postal voting, including disruptions caused by a postal strike in Canada and registration difficulties faced by expatriates in the Middle East. He also said the system had been safeguarded against multiple cyberattacks.
Stressing that the entire process is being conducted under strict security measures, Nasir Uddin said the EC expects a substantial increase in postal ballot registrations by 25 December and called on journalists to play an active role in raising public awareness.
