Thursday
13 November, 2025
News Flash
News Flash
DHAKA, Nov 13, 2025 (BSS) - Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin today said the Election (EC) Commission wants to play the role of a neutral referee in order to hold a free, fair, and acceptable election out of its accountability to the nation.
"You will play in the election (to the representatives of political parties). You are the players - and we are in the role of referees, and we really want to be in the role of completely impartial referees," he said.
He added, "Without your cooperation, it is difficult to do the referee's job, it is difficult to conduct the game fairly. We are committed to giving the nation a fair, beautiful and acceptable election, and that will be possible with the cooperation of all of you."
The CEC made this remark while presiding over a dialogue between the EC and representatives of registered political parties at the commission's conference room in the capital's Agargaon this morning.
Referring to the electoral code of conduct, he said, "We have seen posters in and outside Dhaka, but we have made it clear that such pasting of posters will not be allowed. So, those who have put them up should remove them immediately. Since the code of conduct has already been announced, no one should violate it."
Issuing a strong warning against any violation of the electoral code, he said, "Wherever there is a breach of rules after the announcement of election schedule, we will take immediate action."
Highlighting the ongoing discussions about holding a referendum, the CEC said, "This topic is now widely discussed, but we have not yet received anything officially."
He continued, "But looking at the discussion, it seems that if the responsibility for this also falls on us; there is already a special situation now, an election is being held under a special government. We are in a different situation now, as you all know, so in the meantime, while holding this election, we have to take responsibility for many additional things."
He added, "Many issues like referendums or misusing social media to spread rumors are new to us."
The CEC further said, "We are considering how voting can be arranged outside the country, how those directly involved in the election can cast their votes, how government employees posted elsewhere on election day can vote, and how returning officers can vote."
He went on, "Many other completely new issues have emerged this time, so our responsibility is greater compared to a general election. Therefore, we need your cooperation much more."
Mentioning that all political parties are equal to them, Nasir Uddin said, "We want to treat everyone with equal importance. We consider all registered parties equally significant, and we will listen to their valuable opinions and suggestions, which, if found reasonable, will greatly help us."
At the end of his speech to the political parties, he sought cooperation from them, saying, "We want your active participation and cooperation in organizing a free and fair election. This election is entirely different from previous ones, and we seek your sincere assistance until the day before the polling."
Election Commissioners Md. Anwarul Islam Sarker, Begum Tahmida Ahmad, and Brig Gen Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah (retd), and EC Secretariat Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed were also present.
Six political parties - the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Bangladesh Congress, Bangladesh Muslim League, National People's Party, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan, and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh- took part in the morning session
The afternoon session, scheduled to begin at 2 pm, will include representatives from six more political parties - Communist Party of Bangladesh, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal, Biplobi Workers' Party of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Nationalist Front (BNF), and Bangladesh Nationalist Movement (BNM).
