Online Report
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin has called for the highest standards of professionalism and neutrality in organizing the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election.
Speaking at the inauguration of a two-day training program in Dhaka, he underscored the Election Commission’s (EC) top priorities: professionalism, neutrality and ethical conduct at all levels.
“No one will be allowed to go beyond the boundaries of the law. The next election must be conducted with 100% neutrality,” the CEC said.
The program marks the beginning of the training process for 1.5 million election officials and staff.
Addressing the trainees, CEC Nasir Uddin warned that the upcoming election will be more challenging than any before, citing political tensions, law and order concerns and the growing impact of social media. “We must be ready to tackle any emerging challenges,” he added.
Underscoring the EC’s core values, he reiterated, “Our key responsibility will be professionalism, professionalism, professionalism and neutrality, neutrality, neutrality.”
During the same event, Election Commissioner Abdur Rahman highlighted the consequences of past electoral controversies. “One CEC had a garland of shoes hung around his neck. Another went to prison. That’s a national embarrassment. We need to analyze and understand why it happened,” he said, emphasizing the need for a clean and credible election this time.
Another Commissioner, Begum Tahmida Ahmed, urged core trainers to take their responsibilities seriously. “We are preparing you not to dominate, but to lead positively. Train others well to ensure a successful election,” she stated.
Commissioner Anwarul Islam Sarkar noted, “We came into this commission as a result of a public uprising. Someone else would have been here if not us. But the Election Commission is currently the most challenging institution in the country. We will face those challenges head-on.”
He also echoed the sentiment regarding past controversies, reiterating, “EC cannot wash its hands of past failures. The upcoming election must be done right — no excuses.”
Retired Brigadier General Abul Fazal Mohammad Sanaullah, another Election Commissioner, expressed hope that the next election would set a positive precedent.
He also announced that due to the EC’s austerity measures, the election budget has been reduced by Tk 100 crore.
The event was presided over by Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, with welcoming remarks delivered by Director General of the Electoral Training Institute, S M Asaduzzaman.
The Country Director of International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), Cole Carling, also addressed the gathering.