EC will not bow to any pressure, CEC says, urges officials to act lawfully during polls

The Election Commission will not bow to any pressure in conducting the upcoming general election, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has said, calling for lawful conduct from officials.

Speaking at the inaugural session of a training workshop for upazila nirbahi officers (UNOs) on election management at the Election Training Institute in Agargaon today (22 October), Nasir urged all officials of the field administration to carry out their electoral duties with honesty and integrity, in accordance with the law.

Addressing UNOs, the CEC said, "The Election Commission will not yield to any undue pressure from anyone. Our message to you is this: do not bow to any pressure, remain firm in your lawful and independent decisions."

He assured the officials that the commission would provide all necessary support during the election, adding, "We will not issue any illegal orders, and we expect you to follow our lawful instructions accordingly."

Cautioning UNOs against arriving late at polling centres, CEC said, "In many cases, mobile magistrates arrive only after everything is over – after the fighting, the capture of polling centres and ballot boxes, and the culprits have already left. That must not happen."

Four election commissioners and the EC secretary were also present at the event.

'Backs against wall'

Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud noted that public confidence in elections had eroded, mentioning public complaints about previous "night-time voting."

He said, "Our backs are against the wall," leaving no alternative but to ensure a good election.

Masud added, "If we fail to hold a free, fair and acceptable election this time, we will stand ashamed as a nation before the world."

Election Commissioner Md Anwarul Islam Sarker said political parties must be motivated to reach out to voters, emphasising that a disciplined environment was essential for a fair election.

He added that officials who performed their duties well during the election would be rewarded.

During the workshop, the election commissioners provided officials with various guidelines.

Commissioners said no posters would be allowed in the upcoming polls, although digital boards and banners could be used.

Election Commissioner Brig Gen (Retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah said a voting app for expatriates would be launched on 16 November, mentioning that they will cast votes using a separate ballot system.

Expatriate voters would be able to see the final list of candidates for their constituencies through this app, he said.

Sanaullah announced that another app, called ICPV, was being developed for prisoners and election officials on duty so they could register and vote remotely through the platform.

Also, Senior Secretary of the Election Commission (EC) Akhtar Ahmed called on upazila executive officers (UNOs) to remain committed to ensuring a free, fair, and participatory election, describing the upcoming national polls as an "electoral battle that must be won."

"Welcome to this fair, beautiful, participatory, and festive electoral battle," he said. 

"We must win this battle; there is no alternative. It's a one-way track, and this one-way track is this war. It is our moral responsibility. We are committed to fulfilling this pledge," said the EC secretary.