Bangladesh's Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin expressed that the Election Commission's sole agenda is to ensure free, impartial, transparent, and credible elections in the country. According to the government news agency BSS, Nasir Uddin stated, 'We have one agenda – to conduct fair and transparent elections in alignment with the aspirations of 180 million Bangladeshis. We have no other agenda.'
The Chief Election Commissioner made these remarks at the event held on the occasion of the seventh National Voter Day. He emphasized that voting is a public right, hard-earned through struggles, and efforts are underway to strengthen this right and conduct a fair and acknowledged election. Nasir Uddin urged voters to consider voting as a duty this time and play their role in ensuring free and fair elections.
Nasir Uddin noted that differing opinions and disagreements among political parties are part of democracy's beauty, yet consensus among these parties is crucial for electoral success. He subtly remarked that while manipulation might help win an election, historical trends demonstrate that such victories seldom endure. This comment was aimed at former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who after winning four consecutive elections, was deposed amidst public protests in August 2024. Following Hasina's departure, an interim government led by Muhammad Yunus was formed.
The Chief Election Commissioner proposed that the National Consensus Commission could be entrusted with obtaining written commitments from all political parties to adhere to the election code of conduct and fully cooperate in ensuring impartial elections. Nasir Uddin voiced, 'Perhaps I’m saying too much, but I'd like to propose a new agenda where all political parties are required to provide written assurance of their compliance with the election code to facilitate transparent elections.'
