Why EC Addressing Next Election To Be Risky?

Bangladesh's Election Commissioner (EC) Md Anwarul Islam Sarker on Friday warned the election officials that the next general election of the country would be the most risky compared to any election in the past.

"There is no alternative way or second option to overcome this challenge of holding a fair election," he said at the Electoral Training Institute (ETI) in Agargaon, Dhaka.

"Presiding officers will be the nucleus of the election," he said, adding that some 50,000 presiding officers will be required for the election, who should be inspired to play key roles for holding a fair election.

"We must be firmly committed that we have to hold a good election," he further added.

Meanwhile, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin said they want cent per cent neutral behaviour from election officials in the upcoming national election.

Pointing at the election officials, the CEC said, “We want 100 per cent neutral behaviour.”

"…this commission's bottom line is professionalism and neutrality. You must send out this message," he said while addressing the participants of a two-day training for core trainers.

Some 80 core trainers are participating in the two-day training programme, who will later provide training to TOTs (Trainers of Trainers) ahead of the upcoming national election to be held before next Ramadan in February next year.

The CEC asked them to be ready to face new challenges like to check abuse of social media, misinformation and disinformation alongside the law and order challenge in the upcoming election.

Noting that the education of this training is morality, he asked the participants to uphold the morality always.

EC Abdur Rahmanel Masud stressed the need for performing the election duty by the officials following the constitution and the electoral laws.

He said there is no scope to discharge election duty beyond the laws and the constitution.

"Whether I can carry out the responsibility entrusted to me properly in line with the laws, which could be the only thing that should be the matter of our consideration," he told the election officials.

"There is no alternative to holding a fair election this time," he added.

Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah said the commission, for the first time, is going to ensure the voting rights of expatriate Bangladeshis in the upcoming national election.

"We hope this time there will be a significant turnout of expatriate voters… A huge enthusiasm is being seen among them to exercise their voting rights," he said.

Election Commissioner Tahmida Ahmad said the 80 participants are the masters of 5,000-6,000 TOTs who will later train some 10,00,000 polling officers for the next election.

EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed presided over the inaugural event, while ETI Director General SM Asaduzzaman delivered the welcome speech.