CEC: Polls to be arranged after necessary reforms

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on Sunday said the general election will be arranged in the country once the significant electoral reforms are completed.

“The Constitutional Reform Commission and the Election System Reform Commission are working. The election will take place once the crucial electoral reforms are implemented,” he said.  The CEC was replying to a question about when the election will be held, while exchanging views with journalists at the Election Commission conference room taking oath.

“Various quarters are proposing different types of reforms. Some are suggesting increasing the number of parliamentary seats to 400 while others are advocating proportional representation system. Therefore, we can only make a decision once it is determined how and through which method the election will be conducted,” he said.

About the participation of the Awami League and its like-minded parties in the election, the CEC said, “The ongoing debate in the political arena concerning the Awami League should be resolved first. Only then we’ll make a decision.”

“We’ll work to fulfil the nation’s expectations. We’ll conduct a free and fair election. In my life, I have no record of failure. I’ve taken on many challenging tasks and overcome those successfully. Nowadays, people wrinkle their noses after hearing of voting as they couldn’t cast their votes in the past. You (the media) have written about this. To increase voter interest and communicate the sincerity of our efforts, we’ll need your cooperation,” he said.

Nasir Uddin said they will refrain from bad practices. “But you should highlight the good work to the public. This will encourage us and increase our enthusiasm for the task at hand,” he said.

He said, “We don’t want to hold a lop-sided election by force. We’ll decide on the election on the completion of necessary reforms.”

The CEC said a government previously conducted one-sided elections by force and caused significant harm to the country. “We don’t want to repeat such actions. There may be greater challenges ahead, but we view these as opportunities,” he said.

Mentioning that he has a great team, he said, “While we may look old from the outside, we’re very young at heart. I hope we’ll succeed.”

Describing reforms as an ongoing process, Nasir Uddin said to conduct an election, certain reforms are essential. “Various ideas are now being discussed. Some are advocating proportional representation system while others suggest sticking to the previous system. If these matters are not resolved, how can we proceed with the election? To hold an election, we need to include the new generation, who has been eagerly waiting for years to vote, in the voter list. We need to prepare the voter list,” he said.

“We’ll identify where reforms and interventions are needed as a commission is already working on reforming the electoral system. Let the suggestions come and we’ll review which ones are acceptable. Those deemed acceptable will need to be implemented.”

Referring to the ongoing work of the Constitutional Reform Commission, the CEC said they will also provide suggestions on constitutional matters. “My team and I are products of the constitution. If the constitution is not in order, our journey will be directionless. Therefore, let this process be completed. Let all the recommendations come. There isn’t much time left. They’ve stated a deadline of December. It’s a very short time, but rest assured.”

Earlier, the CEC and four other election commissioners -- former additional secretary Md Anwarul Islam Sarker, former district and sessions judge Abdur Rahmanel Masud, former joint secretary Begum Tahmida Ahmad and Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah -- took oath at the Supreme Court Judges’ Lounge in the afternoon.

Later, they went to the Election Commission.