Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on Tuesday said the Election Commission wants to demonstrate what the rule of law truly means by holding free, fair and credible elections.
“I may have said a few days ago that we want to show what the rule of law is,” the CEC said. “We are being collectively blamed. It is being said that we have destroyed the election system and held managed elections. We want to be free from this slander. We want to prove that we can conduct fair and credible elections.”
He made the remarks while addressing a meeting on election management with returning officers and field-level administration officials at the Election Commission in Agargaon, ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election and referendum.
AMM Nasir Uddin said the commission is carrying a national and constitutional responsibility during a critical transition period.
“All those present here effectively keep the government and the country running at the field level,” he said. “The responsibility that has come to us is to keep the country on the right track.”
The CEC stressed that the effectiveness of the Election Commission depends on the performance of officials on the ground.
“My authority will work only if you work. If you do not work, my authority will not work,” he said. “It is your responsibility to maintain the system, keep it running and ensure that it delivers.”
He added that the commission is determined to fulfil its duties without deviation. “We will, God willing, fulfil this responsibility together. Everyone must do the right thing at the right time and do it effectively.”
Reiterating the commission’s commitment, the CEC said: “We want to prove that we can hold proper and credible elections. This is possible only through the rule of law. Those working on the ground must ensure that the rule of law is upheld.”
Other election commissioners, senior EC officials, divisional commissioners, police commissioners, deputy commissioners and superintendents of police were present at the meeting.
