TDS Desk

The Election Commission (EC) will do whatever is necessary to hold a free, fair, and acceptable national election, said newly appointed Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on November 21.

In his immediate reaction following his appointment earlier in the day, he said, “Since this responsibility has landed on our shoulders, we must fulfil it properly with everyone’s cooperation.”

“The position of [chief] election commissioner is a crucial responsibility. I have gotten the responsibility at a time when expectations are very high, especially regarding the election. I pledge to fulfil my duties while making the utmost sacrifice,” said the CEC while talking to reporters.

“I believe in free, fair and credible election. This is my mission and vision. This is my responsibility and commitment to the nation,” Nasir stressed while speaking about the new commission’s responsibility to hold the next 13th parliamentary polls.

The new EC and CEC Nasir’s biggest challenge will be restoring the commission’s credibility and people’s trust in it as the last three national polls, held by subservient ECs under the now-ousted Awami League government in 2014, 2018 and 2024, were marred by allegations of massive irregularities and vote rigging.

The electoral system was completely destroyed in the last decade during the previous Hasina regime. While Hasina came to power in 2008 by winning an election under a caretaker government, she abolished the election-time caretaker system in 2011, which allowed her to stay in office during the polls to manipulate the election.

After several alleged rigged elections extending her rule for 15 years, she was ousted by a mass uprising in August. Her ouster led to the comeback of the nonpartisan interim government system, this time under the leadership of Mohammad Yunus. The interim government has repeatedly promised to hold a fair election after sweeping reforms. The new CEC’s biggest strength is that he will lead the EC to hold the polls under a nonpartisan government, the likes of which in the past have ensured free and fair elections.

Addressing the challenges ahead, he said, “There will be challenges. I have previously served as the secretary in the health, energy and information ministries. There were challenges there too. More will come in the future. We have to face them and fulfil our duties.”

Earlier in the day, the interim government, which took charge on 8 August – three days after the AL government fell in a mass uprising led by students – officially formed the new EC with retired secretary Nasir as the new CEC for the next five years.

Along with Nasir, retired additional secretary Md Anwarul Islam Sarker; retired District and Sessions judge Abdur Rahmanel Masud; retired joint secretary Begum Tahmida Ahmed, and Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah were also appointed as election commissioners.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin appointed all five in line with Article 118 (1) of the constitution. The orders came into effect immediately, according to two separate gazette notifications issued by the Cabinet Division.

“We have written to the Supreme Court registrar to schedule the swearing-in ceremony for Sunday or a date deemed suitable by the chief justice,” EC Secretary Shafiul Azim told The Business Standard.

On 31 October, the government formed a Search Committee to recommend the election commissioners to form the EC.

Former CEC Kazi Habibul Awal and four other election commissioners resigned on 5 September, a month after a mass uprising led by students ousted the Awami League government.

After the interim government took charge, BNP and many other political parties have been calling for necessary measures to form the Election Commission and carry out other reforms as soon as possible to hold the next national election.

Nasir Uddin was one of the two names proposed by BNP for the post of CEC, according to reports.