[🇧🇩] Forming Election Commission/Conducting Elections

[Saif]

Election not possible without govt cooperation: CEC

'No matter how independent the EC is said to be, it is not possible to hold an election without the government's support'

en.prothomalo.com

Election not possible without govt cooperation: CEC

BSS Dhaka
Published: 21 Jun 2025, 15: 11

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin. File Photo

Chief election commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on Saturday said it is not possible to hold a national election without the government's cooperation despite the Election Commission’s constitutional independence.

“No matter how independent the EC is said to be, it is not possible to hold an election without the government's support. We have to conduct the polls with cooperation from the government," he told reporters after inaugurating a daylong training programme on electoral laws and rules at the Electoral Training Institute in the capital.

He said the EC relies on support from law enforcement agencies, the administration and its officials to hold the election. “So, the government will naturally play a key role in the election. It (election) won’t be possible without it,” the CEC said.

Regarding communication with the government, the CEC said formal and informal channels remain open. “It’s not like that we’re isolated on an island, away from the government,” he said.

Nasir Uddin also reaffirmed that the schedule for the 13th national parliamentary election will be announced in due course assuring that the EC is following due process. “You’ll know the election date at the right time. We will announce the schedule in due course,” he said.

In response to a question about the EC’s election roadmap, he said there is an internal work plan in place.

“We are not hiding anything. We won’t call it a roadmap…(but) any office has a work plan. A national election of this scale must require an internal work plan. It’s for our own use—not for sharing with everybody,” the CEC added.​

 

[Saif]

EC collects information about Zubaida for inclusion in voter list

The Election Commission has collected information about Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP's Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, for her inclusion in the voter list. EC officials said her information was gleaned during the recent door-to-door data collection in Dhaka. "Zubaida Rahman's information has been

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

EC collects information about Zubaida for inclusion in voter list

UNB
Published :
Jun 23, 2025 18:03
Updated :
Jun 23, 2025 18:03

The Election Commission has collected information about Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP's Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, for her inclusion in the voter list.

EC officials said her information was gleaned during the recent door-to-door data collection in Dhaka.

"Zubaida Rahman's information has been gathered under the ongoing voter list updating programme," EC senior secretary Akhtar Ahmed told the media on Monday.

He said a name is included in the final voter list on completion of the entire updating process, following the data collection and registration.

As per electoral laws, a person must be a registered voter to contest in any election. In the case of the parliamentary election, a voter can contest elections from any constituency in the country.

The photograph-based voter registration process began in 2008, when Tarique Rahman and Zubaida Rahman were in London as they left Bangladesh for London on September 11, 2008, and they have been living there since then.

But on May 06 last, Zubaida returned to Bangladesh, accompanying BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia after the latter's medical treatment in London. She left for London again on June 5 last.

EC officials collected Zubaida's personal information in Dhaka before Eid-ul-Azha.

According to the law, the draft voter list must be published by January 2 next year, with the final list due by March 2. However, if the next general election is held in February, the Election Commission is considering amending the law to finalise the list earlier.

Zubaida, a physician by profession, was born on May 18, 1972, in Dakshin Surma Upazila of Sylhet District. After passing her higher secondary examinations with distinction, she went on to study at Dhaka Medical College. She married Tarique Rahman on February 3, 1994.

Zubaida passed the MBBS examination with distinction and began her career as a government doctor through the BCS in 1995, securing first place in the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS-Health) examination.​

 

[Saif]

EC proposes to amend voter list act

Election Commission (EC) Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said the EC has sent a proposal to the ministry of law to amend the Voter List Act. Speaking to reporters at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital’s Agargaon, he said, “We have proposed changes to the current law regarding the voter

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

EC proposes to amend voter list act

BSS
Published :
Jun 26, 2025 21:10
Updated :
Jun 26, 2025 21:10

Election Commission (EC) Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said the EC has sent a proposal to the ministry of law to amend the Voter List Act.

Speaking to reporters at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital’s Agargaon, he said, “We have proposed changes to the current law regarding the voter list, stating that the commission will determine a reasonable time for voter inclusion through its meetings. In essence, the commission would decide who can vote and the timeframe for voter registration based on reasonable consideration.”

“The commission will decide on what basis this reasonable consideration for inclusion in the voter list will be,” he added.

Akhtar Ahmed also mentioned that the process of demarcation of 76 parliamentary constituencies is underway, saying, “We are proceeding based on what appears logical to us. The process is currently under review and not yet finalized.”

Regarding election preparations, he said, “Tenders have been invited for purchasing election materials. We aim to complete the procurement by September.”

On the registration of political parties, the senior secretary said, “The deadline for party registration was June 22. We received 147 applications, of which three were re-submissions—so 144 parties have applied.”

He went on, “We have created a checklist to review these applications, and 20 officers have been assigned to this task.”

In response to another question, he said, “We will need to increase the number of election symbols, as 147 parties have applied which require an equal number of symbols. Discussions are ongoing, and the issue regarding the ‘scales’ symbol has already been resolved in court.”​

 

[Saif]

CEC calls on chief adviser

He met the chief adviser at the state guest house Jamuna this afternoon, said chief adviser's deputy press secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder.

en.prothomalo.com

CEC calls on chief adviser

BSS Dhaka
Published: 26 Jun 2025, 19: 44

CEC AMM Nasir Uddin met with chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State guest house Jamuna in Dhaka on 26 June, 2025. BSS

Chief election commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin paid a courtesy call on chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today.

He met the chief adviser at the state guest house Jamuna this afternoon, said chief adviser's deputy press secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder told BSS.​

 

[Saif]

Jamaat wants local polls before national election 'to reduce public suffering'

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has said there is no alternative to holding local government elections before the national polls to reduce public suffering and assess the Election Commission's capacity. “We support holding the next national election within the timeframe a

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Jamaat wants local polls before national election 'to reduce public suffering'

UNB
Published :
Jun 28, 2025 22:46
Updated :
Jun 28, 2025 22:46

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has said there is no alternative to holding local government elections before the national polls to reduce public suffering and assess the Election Commission's capacity.

“We support holding the next national election within the timeframe announced by the interim government chief after necessary reforms. But before that, local elections are essential to test the EC’s capability,” he said.

He also noted that the absence of elected representatives in local government bodies is worsening public suffering, while administrative control through bureaucrats is disrupting civic services.

The Jamaat chief was addressing a day-long Rukon (Member) Training Camp organised by Sylhet city Jamaat on Friday. All city Rukon members attended the camp.

Dr Shafiqur Rahman called upon Islami movement activists to prioritize earning Allah's satisfaction and uphold accountability to Him

Referring to the party’s struggle, he said Jamaat faced severe oppression, including the execution of top leaders and loss of party registration and symbol. “Despite all odds, we remained steadfast on the path of truth, which has led to victory,” he added.

The Jamaat chief stressed that the July and August mass uprisings must not be forgotten, saying, “The sacrifices of our youth must be honoured; otherwise, no one will dare resist injustice in future.”

He said Jamaat has selected potential candidates for all 300 parliamentary seats and is preparing for the next election, aiming to build a welfare-oriented society.

Central leaders Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair and Maulana Habibur Rahman also addressed the event, urging members to strengthen grassroots organisation and earn public trust through moral conduct and service.​

 

[Saif]

Salahuddin suspects plot behind proportional representation and local election push

BNP senior leader Salahuddin Ahmed on Saturday alleged that those advocating for a proportional representation (PR) system and prioritising local government elections may have intentions to delay or obstruct the upcoming national election. “Those who are talking about a proportional election

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Salahuddin suspects plot behind proportional representation and local election push

Published :
Jun 28, 2025 20:41
Updated :
Jun 28, 2025 20:41

BNP senior leader Salahuddin Ahmed on Saturday alleged that those advocating for a proportional representation (PR) system and prioritising local government elections may have intentions to delay or obstruct the upcoming national election.

“Those who are talking about a proportional election system have a motive. Those who want local government elections before the national election also have a motive. Either they want the election to be delayed, or they want no election at all in Bangladesh. This could be their intention,” he said, UNB reports.

Salahuddin made the remarks while speaking to reporters after a memorial publication event on martyred President Ziaur Rahman and an archive unveiling programme organised by the Bangladesh Research Analysis and Information Network (BRAIN) at the International Mother Language Institute Auditorium.

The BNP leader said the people of Bangladesh are united in their demand for the national election to be held in early February next year.

“All the democratic people of this country have not struggled for local government elections. We have fought for 17 years for a free, fair and neutral national election. We have lost countless lives to establish our right to vote,” he said.

Salahuddin, a BNP Standing Committee Member, said the sacrifice of blood made by martyrs during the student-led mass uprising reflects the desire for a truly democratic state in this country. “We will certainly be able to build that democratic state if a political government is established through a free and fair national election,” he added.

He said a consensus proposal has been made through a joint statement to hold the national election in the week before Ramadan begins and in the first half of February 2026, following discussions in London between Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.

“It will only be effective when the Chief Adviser conveys the message and instructions to the Election Commission through the appropriate process in this regard…When the Chief Adviser’s Office, the Election Commission, or both together inform the nation, only then will we be truly assured that the election will be held at that time,” the BNP leader said.​