[🇧🇩] Forming Election Commission/Conducting Elections

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National election only way to restore democracy: Amir Khosru

BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Monday said holding a national election is the only option for the interim government to restore democracy in the country. “There is no other way but an election to return democratic, political and constitutional rights to people.

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

National election only way to restore democracy: Amir Khosru

Published :
Jun 16, 2025 20:59
Updated :
Jun 16, 2025 20:59

BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Monday said holding a national election is the only option for the interim government to restore democracy in the country.

“There is no other way but an election to return democratic, political and constitutional rights to people. The two leaders (Chief Adviser and BNP Acting Chairman) agreed on this issue during the London meeting,” he said.

Khosru, who accompanied BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman during a meeting with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at the Dorchester Hotel in London, made the remarks while speaking to reporters outside Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport upon his return from London in the morning, UNB reports.

Asked about the criticisms made by Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh and the National Citizen Party (NCP) opposing the joint statement issued after the meeting between Prof Yunus and Tarique on Friday, he said, "I do believe if we truly believe in democracy, then everyone should have the opportunity to express their opinion.”

“So, everyone has the right to share their views. I think this is one of the greatest strengths of our democracy — that everyone can voice their own opinion. We must move forward keeping that in mind," the BNP leader said.

Emphasising the urgency of the election, he said people in Bangladesh have not been able to vote freely over the past two decades. “The younger generation has never experienced voting. That’s why they want a democratic transition through an election as soon as possible.”

The BNP leader expressed the hope that the country will move forward on the path of democracy, as people have made huge sacrifices and carried out a long struggle to restore it.

In response to a question on reforms and the trial process of fascist elements, Khosru said reforms depend on consensus and are part of an ongoing process. “Reforms will not end before the election and will continue even after it.”

Speaking about the trial of fascists, he said it is also an ongoing process and depends on the judiciary. “The judiciary will carry out the trials, and efforts are being made to bring the accused under legal proceedings. There are roughly six more months to bring them under trial, and if that is not completed within this period, the next elected government will take responsibility.”

On political consensus, the BNP leader said the more decisions are taken through mutual understanding among political parties, the better it is for the nation.

"It is because of our consensus that we have been able to remove the autocratic and fascist regime. So, we will try to make decisions based on consensus wherever possible," he said.

On the possible timing of the election, Khosru said BNP has no major objection if the election is held in February. “We have always favoured holding the election as early as possible. If the timeline shifts from December to February, it’s not a big matter. What matters most is making decisions through consensus.”​

 

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Chief Adviser Yunus orders committee formation to investigate officials over past three ‘disputed’ elections

Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has ordered the formation of a committee to investigate the roles of former top Election Commission officials in organising three previous ‘controversial’ national polls. The directive came during a meeting of the National Consensus Commission held at the S

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Chief Adviser Yunus orders committee formation to investigate officials over past three ‘disputed’ elections

bdnews24.com
Published :
Jun 16, 2025 21:51
Updated :
Jun 16, 2025 21:51

Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has ordered the formation of a committee to investigate the roles of former top Election Commission officials in organising three previous ‘controversial’ national polls.

The directive came during a meeting of the National Consensus Commission held at the State Guest House Jamuna on Monday, according to a statement from the Chief Advisor’s Office.

The investigation will focus on former chief election commissioners, election commissioners, and secretaries of the Election Commission Secretariat who were involved in elections held under the previous Awami League government, the statement said.​

 

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Rizvi hopes interim govt will quickly fulfill election promises

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Wednesday expressed the hope that the interim government will quickly implement the promises it made regarding the national election. “We hope that the government will soon live up to its pledge to hold the election (in mid-Feb

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Rizvi hopes interim govt will quickly fulfill election promises

FE Online Desk
Published :
Jun 18, 2025 20:41
Updated :
JUN 18, 2025 20:41

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Wednesday expressed the hope that the interim government will quickly implement the promises it made regarding the national election.

“We hope that the government will soon live up to its pledge to hold the election (in mid-February),” he said while talking to reporters after paying homage to BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, along with the leaders of the newly formed committee members of the Narsingdi district unit BNP, reports UNB.

Rizvi said it is necessary to give democracy a solid and institutional foundation to prevent the ugly rise of autocracy.

If elected to power, he said, their party would run the country in consultation with all political parties that joined hands with them in the movement for the restoration of democracy.

The BNP leader said all political parties, including BNP, extended their support to the interim government with many hopes and expectations.

He questioned why those in law enforcement agencies who allegedly tortured opposition members by implicating them in false and fabricated cases during the previous Awami League regime have not yet been brought to justice.

The BNP leader urged the government to identify and take action against the errant members of RAB, Police and DB who abused their power and carried out unlawful activities and repression at the behest of autocratic ruler Sheikh Hasina.

He said if anyone believes the government has lost its neutrality, the matter should be resolved through discussion.

Rizvi said BNP remains united under the uncompromising leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia and Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman. “All conspiracies by Sheikh Hasina to split BNP have failed... The crisis is not over yet. We still have a long way to go to fully restore democracy.”

He voiced concern over the spread of dengue and COVID-19, urging the government to take immediate steps to save lives and address the health risks.

Rizvi also called upon the government to form a national task force to tackle the threats posed by dengue and COVID-19.​

 

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BNP to file case against former CECs, EC Commissioners

BNP is set to file a case on Sunday against former Chief Election Commissioners and other commissioners who oversaw the 10th, 11th and 12th national elections. A three-member BNP delegation, led by party Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, will go to Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

BNP to file case against former CECs, EC Commissioners

UNB
Published :
Jun 21, 2025 21:50
Updated :
Jun 21, 2025 21:51

BNP is set to file a case on Sunday against former Chief Election Commissioners and other commissioners who oversaw the 10th, 11th and 12th national elections.

A three-member BNP delegation, led by party Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, will go to Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station on Sunday morning to file the case, said BNP Media Cell Member Sayrul Kabir Khan.

He said the BNP delegation would first submit a copy of the complaint to the Election Commission office at 10am and then go to the police station to lodge the case.

Sayrul said the case will be filed against those responsible for conducting the last three national elections, which the BNP has long claimed were rigged, flawed and unfair.

Earlier, on June 16, during a meeting of the National Consensus Commission at the state guest house Jamuna, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus instructed authorities to immediately form a committee to investigate the roles of the former CECs, election commissioners and EC secretariat officials involved in organising the controversial elections.

BNP has accused the Election Commissions of helping the Awami League to conduct one-sided elections in 2014, 2018, and 2024, ignoring the opposition's demand for a neutral caretaker government and deployment of the army with magistracy power during the polls.

The 10th national election, held in January 2014, was boycotted by most opposition parties, including the BNP. Over half of the 300 constituencies had uncontested winners, which raised questions about the fairness of the election. The commission at the time was led by CEC Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad.

In the 11th national election in December 2018, the BNP and other opposition parties alleged that the ballots were stuffed the night before polling day. That election was overseen by CEC KM Nurul Huda.

BNP also rejected the 12th national election in 2024, calling it a "dummy election" as the party did not participate. CEC Kazi Habibul Awal led that commission.​

 

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EC is moving ahead with preparations for 13th parliamentary elections

BSS
Published :
Jun 21, 2025 23:01
Updated :
Jun 21, 2025 23:01

The Election Commission (EC) is proceeding with preparations to hold the 13th parliamentary elections in time.

Following the initial declaration by the Interim Government's Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, the EC has instructed its officials to expedite all essential tasks so the EC remains ready if the elections are held anytime between December 2025 and June 2026.

Additionally, during a meeting in London with BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on 13 June, the Chief Adviser also said that if preparations are completed in time, the national elections can be held in the country in the week before the start of Ramadan in 2026.

However, in that case, considerable progress will need to be made on reforms and justice.

In this regard, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin told reporters on June 15, "No matter what the election time may be, the EC has to be ready. We are now focusing on our preparations."

As part of the election preparations and following the commission's directives, activities such as updating voter lists, redrawing constituency boundaries, renovating and repairing polling stations, procuring essential voting equipment, registering new political parties and domestic observer organisations, amending various election laws and regulations, and recruiting and training election officials are all progressing rapidly.

In addition, the commission's work plan encompasses dialogue with stakeholders, revisions to various laws and regulations including the RPO, and updates to multiple election-related manuals and guidelines.

According to EC officials, they are currently awaiting directives from the Electoral Reforms Commission and the National Consensus Commission.

On Saturday, the Chief Election Commissioner said that the date for the 13th National Parliament election will be announced on time, along with unveiling the election schedule in the stipulated time.

"While we are not in continuous communication with the government, interaction is taking place to some extent. The election schedule will also be announced as planned," he added.

He continued, "What we call an action plan, many people call it a roadmap. The work of preparing it has actually started since we took charge. A clear timeline has been set outlining when each task will begin and when it will be completed."

Last Thursday, the commission gave final approval to the draft of the Political Parties and Candidates Code of Conduct, 2025, which prohibits the use of posters in the upcoming parliamentary elections, sets a maximum fine of Tk 150,000 for violations, and introduces new provisions promoting environmentally friendly campaign materials.

On the other hand, the work of demarcation of parliamentary constituencies in the National Parliament may be completed by the end of this week, said Election Commissioner Brig Gen (Retd) Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah.

Sources said 638 applications have been submitted to the EC for demarcation of 76 parliamentary constituencies.

On the other hand, the work of preparing the voter list is also almost at its final stage as the commission has time until June 30 for it. EC officials said they hope to complete the work of preparing the voter list within the stipulated time.

EC officials said that there are many election-related purchases, such as transparent ballot boxes and lids for each polling station, voter lists with photos, ballot papers, indelible ink, several types of seals, stamps, stamp pads, ink, bags, 17 types of envelopes, paper, pens, knives, candles, matches, and many other things.

Among these, the paper for ballot papers is usually taken from the state-owned Karnaphuli Paper Mill, while the ballot papers are printed at the government printing house after the candidacy is finalized. Apart from this, several other items have to be purchased through open tenders.

Officials said that the tender process for procuring goods has already been completed, and the evaluation phase is now close to conclusion. A work order is expected to be issued during the first week of July.

In addition, related tasks such as preparations for constructing voting centers are also underway. Significant progress has been made on finalizing the observer policy.

The deadline for submitting applications for the registration of new political parties is set to expire on June 22.

According to EC, on March 10, the Election Commission invited applications from new political parties for registration by April 20. A total of 65 parties applied during that period. The EC later extended the deadline until June 22.

In this regard, Election Commission Additional Secretary KM Ali Newaz told BSS: "Our voter list work is almost at its final stage."

"The draft code of conduct for political parties and candidates was finalized in the commission meeting on Thursday. Now, we are working on demarcation of the parliamentary constituencies. This too will not take long," he added.

Regarding tender for purchasing goods, he said evaluation process of the tender is also nearing completion and "we will be able to issue this work order in the first week of next month".

He also said that preparations are underway for related tasks, including the construction of polling stations. In parallel, significant progress has been made in developing policies related to election observers, he added.

KM Ali Newaz mentioned that certain legal amendments are necessary, and the commission is actively working on them. "We've taken up these responsibilities to ensure that the national elections can be held on schedule. All our preparations are being advanced with that goal in mind, and we're making every effort to complete them accordingly," he said.

Addressing the challenges ahead, he said that conducting the national elections is undoubtedly a complex task, but not an impossible one. "We must proceed with great care. From that perspective, we are preparing thoroughly to ensure the elections are completed successfully."