Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on Monday (March 10) said electoral train has taken off targeting December for voting after Chief Adviser whistled.

CEC made the remark in response to journalists’ questions after talking to British High Commissioner Sarah Cook in the capital’s EC building.

Nasir Uddin said the British High Commissioner visited to learn about the voting preparations and expressed interest in providing assistance during the parliamentary election.

“They also inquired about foreign election observers. We informed them about party registration and voter enlistment, adding that the commission would soon proceed with the procurement process. While the foreign observers’ policy will remain unchanged, the local observer policy will be updated. A notice will be issued in due time to allow observers to arrive,” he said.

He said preparations are underway with December as the target, meaning the election schedule must be announced in October. The EC is working to ensure they do not miss the timeline. 

CEC also said the need for training election agents, as many are selected based on familiarity rather than knowledge of election laws and rules.

Regarding election observers, he emphasized that those unfamiliar with Bangladesh’s reality might not be able to prepare proper reports. Observers are invited to report on the election process, but they should have knowledge of relevant laws and rules. The EC has requested training sessions for observers before the elections, covering their responsibilities before and after the polls. The British side responded positively and expressed satisfaction with the EC’s progress.

Responding to another question, the CEC reiterated that the election whistle has already been blown by the chief adviser, with polls set for either December or by June next year.

BDST: 1535 HRS, March 10, 2025
MSK/SMS