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Published : 16 Nov 2025, 06:12 PM
Political parties have called on the Election Commission to take a “strong and neutral stance” to ensure a credible national election, urging it not to “bow to any pressure”.
The EC, in turn, sought cooperation from all sides, reiterating its commitment to fully enforce the law.
On Sunday, six parties -- Gono Forum, Gono Front, Islamic Front Bangladesh, Islami Oikya Jote, Bangladesh Supreme Party and Bangladesh Jatiya Party -- joined the second day of dialogue at the EC building in Agargaon.
The EC has held talks with 24 of the over 50 registered political parties.
Gono Forum acting president Subrata Chowdhury said past commissions had failed to maintain neutrality despite being competent.
“There were invisible forces behind them,” he alleged.
He urged the current EC to ensure neutrality in both parliamentary and local polls and warned that the upcoming referendum must not become a farce. He emphasised that political parties also must follow the code of conduct.
Gono Front leaders called for strengthening the EC to resist “authoritarian” forces. They saw the next parliamentary polls as an opportunity to restore public trust in the EC.
Bangladesh Jatiya Party Acting Chairman ANM Sirajul Islam was convinced about the sincerity of the EC to hold a credible election. He advised including divisional voting, lowering deposits, and installing CCTV at polling centres.
Islamic Front Bangladesh Chairman Syed Bahadur Shah Mujaddedi presented nine proposals, calling for a level-playing field and a four-phase national vote instead of holding elections nationwide on a single day. A representative of the Bangladesh Supreme Party urged tough action against the use of black money in politics.
Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah laid out three messages from the EC. He said that the EC would take strict action against the use of "muscle power and misinformation" in the election. The EC also said it will be tough against any staff guilty of bias.
Sanaullah discussed the Postal Vote App, which is set to launch on Nov 18, noting that overseas voting is globally challenging. He urged parties to help protect ballot secrecy and warned of legal action for breaches.
Election Commissioner Anwarul Islam Sarker urged parties to prepare their polling agents early and promised not to bow.
Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin said fair elections were a national responsibility and that success depended on cooperation.
He added that “No" vote would apply only in constituencies with a single candidate and that action would be taken against candidates submitting false affidavits.
