CEC pledges to hold credible election

Newly-appointed Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has said he is committed to arranging a free, fair and credible national election.

He made the pledge while briefing reporters on the Supreme Court premises on Sunday afternoon after taking the oath of office.

"The people of the country are deprived of their voting rights. They have fought hard and orchestrated a number of movements in the past years demanding a credible election. Even many have shed their blood. I commit myself to holding a free, fair and credible election. And I will do my best," he said.

Four other election commissioners were also sworn in. They are former additional secretary Md Anwarul Islam Sarkar, former district and sessions judge Abdur Rahmanel Masud, former joint secretary Begum Tahmida Ahmad and retired brigadier general Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah. Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed administered the oath at the Supreme Court Judges' Lounge.

The CEC further said, "I want to honour the oath I have taken. I want to uphold the dignity of my oath. I see it as a big opportunity to serve the nation." He said he feels confident about holding a transparent election. He urged cooperation and support from the media, common people and the political parties.

He said reform is an ongoing process and some essential reforms are required to hold the general election. "The younger generation has been waiting to exercise their voting rights year after year. We have to include them in the electoral roll. So we have to prepare an electoral register first. Some reforms may be needed. We'll evaluate the reform suggestions provided by the Electoral Reform Committee. We'll find which ones are acceptable," said the CEC.

Mr Nasir Uddin said that the chief justice has assured him of extending full support for a free and fair election. About the election schedule, he said it is not the right time to say specifically when the elections will be held.

AMM Nasir Uddin was appointed as CEC of the Bangladesh Election Commission on November 21. Along with him, four election commissioners were also named. President Mohammed Shahabuddin appointed the five in accordance with Section 118 (1) of the Constitution.

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