AL will be able to join polls if not banned by govt or court: CEC
“The Election Commission is fully independent now. There is no pressure from the right, the left, or external. However, we are now under the pressure of our conscience,” says AMM Nasir Uddin
Bangladesh Awami League (AL), which ruled the country for the past 15 years before being ousted in a mass uprising in August this year, will be able to participate in the next national election if the current government or court does not ban it, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has said.
Nasir, a former secretary who was appointed as the CEC on 21 November, made the remark while talking to journalists at a view-exchange meeting with local election officials on voter list updating and the 13th parliamentary election at Chattogram Circuit House in the port city this morning (30 December).
"The Election Commission [EC] is fully independent now. There is no pressure from the right, the left, or external. However, we are now under the pressure of our conscience," he said.
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"It is possible to hold good elections in this country. It is also possible to hold bad elections," he added.
His comments have come at a time when the students who led the mass uprising and various quarters, including some political parties, have been demanding that AL be banned as a fascist political party.
Badiul Alam Majumdar, the head of the Electoral Reform Commission that is tasked with proposing necessary reforms to electoral laws and regulations to ensure free, fair, and participatory polls, recently acknowledged the ongoing legal challenges involving AL leaders.
He also noted that the party's ability to contest in future elections would hinge on resolving the cases involving the party.
"I stated that our commission will propose necessary reforms to electoral laws and regulations to ensure free, fair, and participatory elections. I also mentioned that I see no obstacles to anyone participating in future elections as long as they comply with the legal framework," he said in a statement on 20 December.
Yesterday (29 December), after a meeting between the EC and the reform commission, Badiul said they aim to submit their reform report by Tuesday (31 December). "If delayed, the report will be submitted within 3 January."
Back in October, the interim government had banned Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of AL, as a terrorist organisation – citing various reasons including murder, torture, common room-based oppression, seat trading in dormitories, tender bidding, rape and sexual harassment during various times in the post-independence of Bangladesh, especially during the last 15 years of dictatorial rule.
Asked whether there are any plans to bring the previous Election Commission to book, CEC Nasir told reporters at today's meeting that it was a matter for the reform commission. "We have not yet received their recommendations. For now, the EC is not thinking about it or making any decision."
Highlighting past challenges, he acknowledged the issue of fake voters in previous elections and attributed a decline in voter registration to mistrust in the voting process. He then announced plans to initiate a voter list update soon to address these concerns.
He said, "We will get rid of the lack of confidence among voters. For this, we will go door to door. We aim to complete this work within six months. We will include those who were excluded from the voter list."
Stating that the next election will not be like the previous ones, the CEC stressed, "I want to assure everyone that this election will not be like the ones before. We will make our utmost efforts for this, and everyone's cooperation will be necessary."
"Since 5 August, there has been significant progress in fostering national consensus on electoral matters," he added.
During the meeting, CEC Nasir provided detailed guidelines on voter list updates and preparations for the upcoming national election.
He said the EC is ready to hold a credible election and restore people's trust in the process.
Regional election officials from various levels attended the meeting, contributing to discussions on election management and strategies for improving voter engagement.
