Experts call for EC 'Compliance Desk' ahead of national polls

Following the announcement of Bangladesh's national election schedule, international election experts have advised the Election Commission (EC) to establish a Compliance Desk to manage complaints and misinformation throughout the election period.

The recommendation came  today (22 November) at the "Building Bridges: Regional Election Governance and Citizen Observation Exchange" workshop held at a Hotel Lakeshore Heights in Dhaka. Election experts from Thailand, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Indonesia and other countries exchanged insights with the Bangladesh Election Commission.

The programme was jointly organised by the Bangladesh Election Commission and the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL).

The Election Commission (EC) has indicated that it plans to announce the election schedule roughly 60 days ahead of the 13th Parliamentary Election and the referendum, which are likely to be held in the first half of February next year.

During his presentation, Rohana Hettiarachchie, executive director of the People's Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), said that elections often see a surge in misinformation, incidents of violence and accusations among candidates.

To address this, he recommended that the EC set up a "Compliance Desk" to collect, verify and act on such complaints from the day the election schedule is announced until at least two days after the polls.

He outlined the structure of the desk, noting that it should include representatives from political parties, the police, candidates, observers, civil society, and other stakeholders. Complaints could be submitted via fax, WhatsApp, phone calls, email, by hand, and through print or electronic media.

According to Rohana Hettiarachchie, incoming complaints should be categorised into two streams — police-related matters to be handled by the police unit, and election-related issues to be reviewed by the EC. When complaints involve political parties, the relevant party should be informed by the Commission. 

He said the desk would work to resolve complaints quickly at all times, but on election day complaints must be addressed within 30 minutes. Any delay in resolving complaints on election day undermines the effectiveness of the mechanism.

Hettiarachchie noted that Sri Lanka benefited significantly from operating such a system during its elections.

The experts at the event emphasized that building public trust and ensuring the participation of all stakeholders—political parties, candidates, law enforcement agencies, observers and the media—were crucial to holding a free, fair and credible election. They also suggested introducing mandatory online registration for campaign activities by candidates and parties.

Septiaji Eko Nugroho, chairperson of MAFINDO, Indonesia, recommended establishing a dedicated social media monitoring desk for the upcoming election, highlighting emerging threats such as AI-generated deep fakes, misinformation and other digital risks.

Earlier in the day-long event, Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah said the EC views the misuse of AI and the spread of misinformation and disinformation on social media as major challenges but believes that an inclusive approach can ensure a free and fair election.

In his closing remarks, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin said, "Our agenda—and our only agenda—is to deliver the nation a free, fair and acceptable election; nothing more, nothing less."

He added that the Commission's work would be easier if Bangladesh's political culture were more consensus-driven and cooperative.

Other speakers at the event included Nelson J. Celis, Commissioner-in-Charge of the Task Force Against Election Disinformation, Commission on Elections, Philippines, and Rona Ann Caritos, Executive Director of the Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE), Philippines.

Senior officials of the Bangladesh Election Commission attended the event.