Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on Thursday reaffirmed the Election Commission’s commitment to holding a free, fair, impartial and acceptable election, saying all preparations have already been made to ensure a peaceful and credible polls.
“The election will be completed as promised to the people,” the CEC said while briefing international observers and media representatives at Hotel InterContinental in the capital.
He said the commission is working strictly in accordance with the relevant laws and the Constitution to organize the election and referendum scheduled for tomorrow.
According to him, all necessary materials, including ballot papers, have already been distributed to returning officers and are being centrally dispatched to respective constituencies.
“Extensive security and coordination arrangements are in place with the support of law enforcement agencies and the government,” he said, adding that any electoral dispute would be resolved in line with established legal and constitutional procedures.
Emphasizing transparency as the cornerstone of election management, Nasir Uddin said the commission has prioritized openness from the outset.
He noted that journalists can play a vital role in ensuring accountability by reporting any irregularities.
“The participation of media and observers will play a significant role in ensuring maximum transparency and public trust in this election,” he said.
The CEC informed that representatives from 45 countries and organizations, including election management bodies and international institutions, are observing the polls.
Domestic and international observers have been granted access in line with commission guidelines and will be able to publish their findings after the election.
He said voting will take place from 7:30am to 4:30pm tomorrow. Today and election day declared public holidays to facilitate voter turnout.
Presiding officers, assisted by assistant presiding officers and polling officers, will conduct voting and counting in the presence of candidates or their authorized agents, accredited observers and journalists.
“Ballots will be issued only after proper identification, and voting will be conducted by secret ballot in accordance with prescribed rules”, the CEC said.
He assured that voters of all genders and ages will be able to cast their votes without hindrance.
As polling concludes, vote counting will be completed at the centers, with presiding officers announcing results.
Returning officers will subsequently compile and officially declare the final results.
For the first time, expatriate Bangladeshis will be able to vote through an IT-based postal ballot system. Despite limited preparation time, nearly 800,000 expatriate voters have registered, which he described as encouraging.
Four other election commissioners and the EC’s Senior Secretary were present at the briefing.
Election Commissioner Brigadier General Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah (Retd.) also responded to various queries from international observers and media representatives.
