Chief election commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Thursday said that preparations were afoot at a full pace to ensure transparent national elections under the existing Representation of the People Order.
He also reasserted that the polls would be held in the first half of February 2026.
鈥楥hief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has been clear in his discussions abroad 鈥� the election will be held in February, power will be transferred democratically, and it will be a beautiful, historic election. We are working to implement those aims,鈥� he told reporters at his office in the city.
Regarding the registration of new parties, the CEC said that the process had been slower than initially targeted as complaints and disputes had emerged, requiring additional scrutiny.
鈥榃e want to be certain that the parties we register are legitimate recipients of registration. That takes time,鈥� he said.
That is why the Election Commission could not publish notices in the newspapers, although public notices regarding the new parties were supposed to be issued by September, the CEC said.
Regarding the National Citizen Party鈥檚 letter requesting the allocation of the water lily symbol 鈥� whether white, red or otherwise, the CEC said that they might talk and the commission would listen, but the matter would proceed strictly in accordance with the law.
He said that the first claim for the water lily symbol had come from Mahmudur Rahman Mannan鈥檚 Nagarik Oikya and the commission did not grant its application.
鈥楾he NCP submitted a letter yesterday, the commission will discuss it, and determine our next steps,鈥� Nasir Uddin said.
Regarding the law and order, the CEC expressed confidence that political parties were committed to carrying out a fair and transparent national election, dismissing fears of vote rigging or political violence.
Nasir Uddin said that he had not heard from any politician that they intended to manipulate the vote or engage in violence.
鈥業 believe that they know the country is at a turning point,鈥� he remarked, highlighting the significance of the upcoming election.
The CEC also addressed security preparations, saying that one lakh army personnel would be deployed to support law enforcement agencies.
鈥榃e will ensure a level-playing field for all. There is no cause for fear,鈥� he assured.
Replying to a question on whether the Jatiya Party would participate in the upcoming Election Commission dialogues starting on September 28, Nasir Uddin said that the party was registered, but multiple groups claimed the plough symbol.
He said that the matter would become clear in due course and urged patience as the process unfolded.
Sharing his experience of a recent visit to Canada regarding ensuring expatriate voting, the CEC said that the visit highlighted the need to restore confidence among overseas voters, who still harboured some distrust despite assurances from home.
He briefed expatriates on the EC plans to ensure an effective, participatory, and orderly election.
According to the CEC, the expatriates welcomed the initiatives and legal amendments, hoping that they would finally be able to vote after previous unfulfilled promises.
The CEC said that foreign observers would not be barred, noting that many had expressed interest in monitoring the election.
He said that foreigners were most welcome to observe the election and that the commission had nothing to hide, aiming to deliver a completely transparent polls.
