Photo: BSS

DHAKA, Aug 24, 2026 (BSS) – Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin today expressed the hope of holding better local government elections than previous ones despite various challenges.

“There is no shortage in the Election Commission’s preparations. There is no scope for going below the standard set by our previous election. Rather, we will improve it further if possible,” he said.

The CEC added: “We are now hoping that with everyone’s cooperation, we will be able to hold a good election without any difficulty.”

Nasir Uddin made the remarks while responding to a question from a journalist after attending an Excel Executive Leadership Dialogue on ‘Strategic Leadership for Bangladesh’s Local Government Elections’ in the city’s Agargaon area this afternoon.

The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) organised the dialogue at the Election Training Institute (ETI) here. Other election commissioners, the Senior Secretary of the Election Commission Secretariat and senior officials of the EC were present at the event.

Responding to another question about the timeframe for local government elections, the CEC said the date could not be announced at this moment.

He said the government would not decide when the election would be held; rather, the Election Commission would take the decision.

“We will determine the date of the election. We will take the decision after discussions and consultations with the government,” Nasir Uddin said.

He further said they were amending some laws, rules and regulations to hold the local government elections, which would require some time.

The CEC, however, said that the Election Commission had already completed the necessary amendments and sent them to the ministry for vetting.

Noting that holding an election does not depend solely on the Election Commission’s internal preparations, he said preparations by all relevant agencies, including law enforcement agencies, were also necessary.

“Support from other forces, alongside the police, is required to conduct elections and monitor the situation at the field level,” Nasir Uddin added.

Local government elections are different in nature from national elections, and violence had comparatively been higher in such elections in the past, he said.

“Therefore, the responsibility of the law enforcement agencies will be more crucial this time. The role of law enforcement agencies will be somewhat greater here. I hope we will be able to control the situation with everyone’s cooperation,” the CEC said.

He said various factors, including Durga Puja, the possibility of rain and floods, annual examinations at educational institutions, and the deployment of teachers and officials for election duties, had to be taken into consideration while scheduling the elections.

“After coordinating all these issues, local government elections will start at an appropriate time,” Nasir Uddin said, expressing hope that the elections would not be unnecessarily delayed.

Regarding the by-election to the Thakurgaon-1 constituency, he said the election had to be completed within 90 days in accordance with the law. “We are working accordingly,” the CEC added.