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Chief election commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Saturday dismissed the possibility of holding the next national parliamentary polls under a proportional representation system, saying that the Election Commission was bound by the constitution and the existing laws. 

‘The PR system that some parties are demanding is neither in our constitution, nor in any law. We are guided by the constitution and existing laws, and cannot go beyond them. If the law changes and the constitution is amended to adopt such a system, that will be a different matter,’ he said. 

The CEC made the remarks while responding to a question from journalists at Regional Public Administration Training Centre in Rajshahi at about 10:00am, against the backdrop of recent calls from several political parties urging the government and the commission to consider adopting proportional representation, arguing that it would make the electoral process more inclusive. 

He said that the issue of proportional representation was essentially a matter of political debate and not within the commission’s jurisdiction. 

‘At present, the PR system is only part of political debate and discussion. It is a matter for politicians, not the Election Commission. Our duty is to deliver the election, and we will do just that,’ he added. 

In reply to another question, the CEC said that no one would be allowed to occupy polling centres or resort to violence in the upcoming 13th national parliamentary elections. 

‘Those who plan to capture polling centres or ballot boxes must abandon such intentions. Their dreams will not come true. Forget the history of vote-rigging,’ he said, adding that the commission would act in a ‘very tough stance’ with the help of law enforcement agencies, the media and voters if anyone tried to resort to violence. 

The CEC said that election officials had been strictly instructed to follow the law and rules. ‘No unlawful order will go from us, we will accept no undue demands,’ he added. 

On illegal arms, Nasir Uddin said that recovery drives were already underway and would intensify before the polls. ‘Those who intend to use weapons during the election will face serious consequences,’ he warned. 

Asked about officials accused of malpractice in past polls, Nasir Uddin said that officials who were deliberately engaged in fraud would not be given duties in the upcoming next parliamentary elections.

He claimed that the present commission was working independently. ‘In the past, commissions acted under pressure. If the government ever asks me to act unlawfully, I will not remain in this chair,’ he said.

The CEC said that steps had already been taken to bring the armed forces under the definition of law enforcement agencies during polls. ‘Unlike previous times, this time the army, navy, air force and coast guard will all be actively involved,’ he said. 

Nasir Uddin also said the EC would cancel voting in an entire constituency if irregularities occurred. ‘We are committed to holding a free, fair and credible election with full professional capacity,’ he said. 

He expressed optimism that law and order would remain stable ahead of the polls, noting that the chief adviser had directed all agencies to complete preparations by December. 

Later, Nasir Uddin attended a views-exchange meeting with election officials of the Rajshahi region, organised by the regional election office. Regional election officer Delwar Hossain presided over the meeting.