Motivate voters to go to polling stations: CEC to political leaders

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Wednesday urged leaders of political parties to motivate the country's voters to go to the polling stations during national election.

"Over the last 10 to 15 years, our country's voters have gradually become reluctant to go to the polling centres. You are the national leaders and political leaders. The people at the grassroots are directly influenced by you. I request you to motivate the voters to go to the centres," he said while addressing a pre-election dialogue at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city.

The Election Commission (EC) today (19 November) opened a fresh round of dialogue with six political parties, including Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and the newly registered NCP, as part of its ongoing preparations for the upcoming national polls.

The morning session, which began around 10:30am, included Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Bangladesh Minority Janata Party (BMJP), Insaniyat Biplob, NCP, Ganosanghati Andolon, and the National Democratic Movement (NDM).

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin said the discussions had two primary objectives, "We have finalised the code of conduct, and we want to discuss its enforcement. Secondly, we seek your cooperation."

He told the parties that ensuring a credible election was a shared responsibility. 

"Not a single political party has said they do not want a fair and acceptable election. You all work for the country's welfare; we trust that," he said.

Emphasising enforcement over formulation, the CEC added, "Preparing the code of conduct is not the main task; compliance is what truly matters. We expect political parties to play their due role."

Highlighting voter apathy, he noted that many citizens had become disengaged from voting over the past decade. 

From the NCP, chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary and senior joint member-secretary Tasnim Jara attended. Photo: Jahidul Islam

"Some voters felt their vote would be cast by someone else, or that the outcome was already decided. We request you, as national leaders with strong grassroots influence, to motivate voters to return to polling centres," he said.

He urged parties to ensure their candidates strictly follow the code of conduct, saying political actors are often more influential in maintaining discipline than law enforcement agencies. 

"We expect you to fulfil that role," he added.

The CEC said the EC wanted to work jointly with political parties, voters, law enforcement agencies and all stakeholders. "We want to move forward with your cooperation. We will listen to your suggestions on how we can collectively deliver a well-conducted election to the nation," he said.

Fortunate to vote under a non-partisan government: EC Tahmida

Election Commissioner (EC) Tahmida Ahmad told political parties, "Our previous commissioners used to talk about free and fair elections. Every time we turned on the TV, we'd see them saying it. I don't know how they said it, because it is not possible to hold a free and fair election under a partisan government."

"You may say that in some countries elections are held under the government, and in other countries they are not. But our country is different. Bangladesh is a unique country. We too have conducted free elections. there were three elections we can proudly claim as such."

She added, "Why those former commissioners used to speak like that—I don't know. Maybe someone was holding a trigger behind them, or maybe it was like a movie I watched as a child where a monkey was made to dance…But we are fortunate. We will hold the election under a non-partisan government."

She added that for a free and fair election, "we need your [political parties'] cooperation." 

"It won't happen without your support. Because the national election is not solely the Election Commission's affair. It is a matter for the entire nation. When the whole nation is involved, it is bound to be good. We are hopeful that with everyone's cooperation we can achieve that."

CEC Nasir Uddin said, "We are committed to performing our duties neutrally, and we will carry out our responsibilities accordingly. We seek your cooperation for a proper election."

Representing Jamaat-e-Islami were party secretary Mia Golam Porwar, assistant secretary general Hamidur Rahman Azad and Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Shishir Monir.

From the NCP, chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary and senior joint member-secretary Tasnim Jara attended.

Ganosanghati Andolon's chief coordinator Zonayed Saki, Bangladesh Labour Party chairman Mostafizur Rahman Iran and other representatives were also present.