'Preparations must be completed by Oct if country goes into polls in Dec'

Senior Staff Reporter Published: 26 January 2025, 05:06 PM | Updated: 26 January 2025, 05:06 PM
'Preparations must be completed by Oct if country goes into polls in Dec'
Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin speaks at the RFED event at the Election Bhaban on Sunday. – Jago News Photo

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin stated that all preparations, including the announcement of the schedule, must be finalised by October if the 13th National Parliamentary Election is to take place in December this year. 

He also expressed optimism about conducting the elections in a festive and participatory environment.

The CEC made these remarks during an event organised by RFED, an association of journalists covering the Election Commission, at the Election Bhaban in Agargaon on Sunday (January 26).

Highlighting ongoing electoral reforms, including delimitation of boundaries and registration of new parties, the CEC reiterated the importance of completing reforms in laws, rules, and regulations by October to facilitate the elections.

Criticising certain recommendations from the Electoral Reform Commission, AMM Nasir Uddin said, "While many suggestions can be made, implementation is challenging." He voiced concerns about proposals that could undermine the independence of the Election Commission (EC), particularly suggestions to involve the Parliamentary Standing Committee in EC functions. "The recommendation to hand over EC tasks to the Standing Committee should be cancelled, as it compromises the EC's independence," he added.

Addressing disagreements over voter updates and delimitation, he emphasized, "Delimitation falls under the jurisdiction of the Election Commission. Any interference from external entities in these matters is unacceptable."

Election timeline uncertainty

In his Victory Day address, the Chief Adviser provided a tentative timeline for the 13th parliamentary elections, suggesting they could be held within one to one-and-a-half years, contingent on reforms driven by political consensus.

In contrast, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir recently urged the interim government to initiate elections earlier, proposing a timeline of July-August 2025.

Meanwhile, Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud, during a visit to Patuakhali on January 23, emphasized the importance of dynamic and accurate voter activities to ensure fair elections. He expressed optimism that law and order would remain stable if elections were conducted as proposed by the Chief Advisor in December 2025 or January 2026.