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Published : 25 Nov 2024, 01:30 AM
Newly-appointed Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin has said it is not possible to hold parliamentary elections without completing essential reforms.
After being sworn in, the CEC and four other new commissioners went to the Election Commission's headquarters in Dhaka's Agargaon and spoke to the media for the first time on Sunday.
Asked when the election could be held, Nasir said: “I cannot give a specific date right now. We will start preparing today but the election is not possible without necessary reforms."
"There are many issues including fake voters, a difference in opinion among political parties whether there will be a bicameral parliament or it will remain unchanged."
"Some people are talking about proportional representation while some are saying FPTP [First Past the Post] - that is the existing system - is needed. How can we prepare without reviewing these recommendations?”
“The reform commission is also expected to make some recommendations. A free and fair election will be held incorporating suggestions from everyone," he added.
Nasir continued, “We need the cooperation of the people and political parties. With the cooperation of everyone, we’ll do whatever is needed for a free, fair and credible election.”
Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed administered the oath to the new election regulator at the Supreme Court Judge’s Lounge earlier around 1:30pm.
Accompanied by other commissioners, the CEC came to the EC building to take charge after the swearing-in ceremony.
Responding to a question about the participation of the Awami League and its affiliate organisations in the election, the CEC said: "I can tell if there is a decision about Awami League and its associate organisations through the reform commission. It's a national issue. I don't want to comment on it now.”
The Electoral Reform Commission, led by Badiul Alam Majumdar, was formed after the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government assumed power.
Since its inception, the commission has been heeding recommendations from stakeholders. The panel will submit a final report upon review of these views.
“Let’s see what recommendations they draw and which of them are acceptable. We’ll implement those,” CEC Nasir said.
The reform commission was working on the election as well, he said, adding it would not take much time as the government has set a deadline in December.
The other new members of the electoral watchdog are Md Anwarul Islam Sarker, a retired additional secretary, Abdur Rahmanel Masud, a district and sessions judge, Tahmida Ahmad, a retired joint secretary, and retired brig gen Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah.
