World watching Bangladesh’s upcoming poll: EC Anwarul

“The Election Commission will not take any crooked path in holding this election. It will not act on behalf of anyone or with any purposeful motive. This is the Election Commission’s ‘commitment’. The commission has the courage to uphold it,” he said. 

He made the remarks while addressing the inaugural session of a day-long workshop titled “Identifying Challenges and Solutions for Polling Officers in the Election Process” at the FIVDB hall room in Shantiganj upazila here. 

The Election Commissioner said that despite the fragile environment following August 5, the commission has continued its efforts with resilience. 

Issuing a clear message that the polls will be held in February ahead of Ramadan, he said the government is fully cognizant of the electoral timeline, and law enforcement agencies, including the police, are making necessary preparations to this end.

Addressing polling officers, he assured them of the commission’s full support and pledged to provide congenial environment for holding a free and fair election. “All election officials will cooperate with you. You must carry out your duties with courage. The commission, police, and Ansar personnel are with you. A separate budget has been allocated for 509 hard-to-reach polling centers in Sunamganj,” he said.

The Election Commissioner also issued a stern warning that any attempt to defame or undermine the election would be dealt with firm resistance. “No matter how powerful or daring, the commission will not compromise,” he asserted. 

He said that the concept for this election is that “our presiding officers themselves are the Chief Election Commissioner. We are treating their matter with utmost importance”. 

The Election Commissioner called upon the nation to advance through a democratic process. Later, he inaugurated this day-long workshop organized by the Sunamganj District Election Office.

With Sylhet Regional Election Officer Md. Ala Uddin in the chair, the inauguration ceremony of the workshop was conducted by Habiganj Sadar Upazila Election Officer Jannat Jahan and Assistant Officer of Madhyanagar Upazila Election Office Iftakarul Alam Chowdhury.

The event was organized by the CBIPEP project with the support of The Belt and Drip Project.

Election Commission’s Additional Secretary K M Ali Newaz, Sunamganj Deputy Commissioner Dr Mohammad Ilyas Mia, Superintendent of Police Tofail Ahmed, and Deputy Secretary of the Election Commission Md. Mostafa Hasan also spoke on the occasion, reports BSS.