President assures full support to EC for free and fair election
The election and referendum are expected to be held on the same day in the first half of February, with voting scheduled to take place from 7:30am to 4:30pm.
President Md Shahabuddin has assured the Election Commission (EC) of all necessary assistance to conduct a free, fair, and inclusive 13th national election, Election Commissioner Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said today (10 December).
Speaking to reporters after the EC delegation's meeting with the president at Bangabhaban, the secretary said the president expressed his commitment to ensuring that the commission receives full institutional cooperation.
The meeting comes at a crucial time, as the EC prepares to announce the election schedule — expected either later today or tomorrow — with political parties already briefed on the upcoming polls and the plan to hold a national referendum on the same day.
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According to Akhtar Ahmed, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin updated the president on several key issues, including the latest voter list integration, political party registration status, preparations for the referendum, and the EC's proposal to extend voting hours. The delegation also discussed enabling expatriate Bangladeshis to cast their votes.
Earlier in the day, the CEC and four commissioners travelled to Bangabhaban as part of the final phase of consultations before declaring the election schedule.
Election Commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Begum Tahmida Ahmad, Md. Anwarul Islam Sarker, Brig Gen Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah (Retd.) and EC Secretariat Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed accompanied the CEC.
As per tradition, the EC briefs the president on all preparations before announcing the election schedule. Following this, the CEC delivers a speech on Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar to declare the schedule officially.
Later this afternoon, representatives from BTV and Bangladesh Betar are scheduled to arrive at the EC headquarters in Agargaon, and the CEC is expected to record his address for the scheduled announcement.
Security measures around the EC building in Agargaon have been strengthened since this morning.
The election and referendum are expected to be held on the same day in the first half of February, with voting scheduled to take place from 7:30am to 4:30pm.
