Transparency to be ensured at every stage of polls: CEC to diplomats

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin today (25 January) assured foreign diplomats and others that transparency would be ensured at every stage of the upcoming referendum and the 13th national general election. 

The Election Commission (EC) has taken extensive preparations to that end, he made the remarks while briefing heads of diplomatic missions, representatives of United Nations (UN) agencies, and others at a hotel in Dhaka.

The heads of 41 diplomatic missions, representatives of 11 UN agencies, and senior government officials were present at the briefing, organised to apprise stakeholders of the overall preparedness for the election slated for 12 February. 

Describing the current period as a crucial juncture for the democratic journey, the CEC said the referendum and national election are being viewed as important milestones in strengthening democratic consolidation and restoring public trust in state institutions.

Highlighting several initiatives, Nasir Uddin said they are working to make the entire electoral process independent, free, fair, impartial, and credible. 

He noted that election preparations have been carried out through an integrated and multi-dimensional approach, including legal reforms, institutional readiness, consultations with stakeholders, and effective planning.

Acknowledging the UN agencies' support on the voter list updates, the CEC said that around 45 lakh new voters have been registered, with nearly 2.665 million women. However, the total number of voters now exceeded 127.6 million.

Regarding constituency delimitation, the CEC said the boundaries of all 300 parliamentary constituencies were reviewed based on citizens' demands, legal principles, and considerations of equity. 

He also highlighted the introduction of technology-based postal voting for Bangladeshi voters living abroad for the first time, informing that nearly 800,000 expatriates registered for the postal voting. 

Postal voting has also been introduced domestically, enabling government officials and employees working outside their constituencies, election officials, and registered voters in legal custody to cast their ballots, he said. 

Addressing the last-minute preparation, the CEC said ballot paper printing is underway, legal and administrative mechanisms have also been put in place to address election-related complaints and resolve disputes.

Seeking continued cooperation from diplomats in advancing the electoral process, he said the law enforcement agencies and relevant government bodies are working to ensure a peaceful, orderly, and secure voting environment. 

During the briefing, Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah presented key statistics related to the election, saying that 51 political parties are contesting the election, with a total of 1,994 candidates, including 256 independent contenders.

A total of 55,454 observers from 81 domestically registered organisations will monitor the election, alongside around 500 foreign observers, he added.

A total of 943,050 members from various law enforcement agencies will be deployed, while nearly 800,000 officials will be engaged in election duties. 

These include 69 returning officers, 598 assistant returning officers, 42,779 presiding officers, 247,482 assistant presiding officers, and 495,764 polling officers. An additional 15,000 officials will be responsible for managing postal voting.

After the presentation, Sanaullah responded to questions from diplomats.

Election Commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida Ahmed, and Md Anwarul Islam Sarker, among others, were present at the event.