PR system not in constitution or law: CEC

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has said that the proportional representation (PR) system does not exist in the country's constitution or law and remains only a subject of political debate.

"We are governed by the constitution and the law. We cannot go beyond that," he commented while speaking at the Regional Public Administration Training Centre in Rajshahi today.

"That would be a different matter, if any law is enacted or if the constitution is amended to introduce PR. Until then, it remains a matter of political debate in which we do not want to be involved," Nasir added.

The CEC said the Election Commission (EC) has almost finalised the roadmap for the 13th national parliamentary election, with an official announcement expected this week following a hearing on constituency delimitation.

"There is a hearing regarding constituency delimitation. After that, the Election Commission will sit and announce the roadmap this week. The draft is almost ready," he said.

Earlier on Thursday, Election Commissioner Abu Fazal Md Sanaullah told reporters, "A briefing on the roadmap will be given on Sunday (today). It is possible [that the announcement would be made]."

Addressing a views-exchange meeting with election officials from the Rajshahi region, the CEC said preparations have been intensified after receiving a letter from the Chief Adviser's Office requesting readiness for elections in the first half of February. 

A decision regarding the participation of the Awami League in the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election will depend on the court's verdict, Nasir said.

"We have to wait until the verdict is delivered. Since the political activities of the Awami League have been banned, we must wait until the trial is completed," he said.

When asked whether all political parties would be able to take part in the election, the CEC responded, "Time will tell whether all parties can participate."

Nasir also said that if the government seeks to influence the EC, he will not continue as the CEC. 

He further said, "Our officers know that the current Election Commission is not being biased. They want to work professionally and neutrally according to the law, and I believe my officers are no longer working the way they did before."

In response to a question about election officials who served during the Awami League era and are still in their posts, the CEC said, "We have 5,700 officials — where would we send them? But those who were directly and willingly involved in vote rigging, we will certainly not keep them in those responsibilities. We are more cautious than you might think."

Regarding the voter list update, the CEC said, "Our staff have been working around the clock in preparation for the 13th national election. We have conducted door-to-door updates of the voter list. During this process, we identified and removed 21 lakh deceased voters."