Commission to hold free, neutral, credible election: CEC

New chief election commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin said they are committed to holding a free, fair and credible election.

“We will present this nation a free, neutral and credible election with the cooperation of everyone,” the CEC said.

AMM Nasir Uddin made the remarks while replying to queries from the journalists after taking the oath at the Supreme Court on Sunday. Other commissioners were also present.

The CEC said, “First of all, I took the oath and I want to uphold it. I see this responsibility as a big opportunity of my life, as well as an opportunity to serve the nation. People of the country are deprived of voting rights. They battled many fights for a free and neutral election and shed much blood during the movements in the past days. I am committed to presenting them a free, neutral and credible election and I will do my best.”

CEC told the journalists, “We must conduct election with the cooperation of everyone. We cannot do it alone. We need your cooperation. We need cooperation of people and political parties of the country. With the cooperation of everyone, we will present a free, neutral and credible election to this nation.”

Replying to another query, Nasir Uddin said, “Reform is a continuous process. It requires some reform to hold an election. There have been many talks on various issues including proportional representation. If the matter is not settled in the constitution, how will we hold the election? New generation who has been waiting for years to vote must be listed. A voter list needs to be prepared. A commission is working for the reform to electoral system as to where the reform is necessary and when intervention is required. Let them make recommendations, and then we will see which ones are acceptable and we will implement those.”

Saying that the constitution reform commission is working, the CEC said, “They also make recommendations on constitution. Me and my team are also a product of constitution. If constitution is not fixed, our journey will be in disarray. So, let them finish their tasks and make recommendations. There are not many days left. They said they have given us until December. It is very short time, but you remain assured.”

Nasir Uddin said, “Not only we, political parties also want election. Political parties have been vocal for voting rights over the past 15-16 years. So we will cooperate with them to implement their demand. So, we have no impediment.”

Replying to a query on election time, the CEC said, “We can mention no specific time now. Some reforms are necessary. I take the office first; give me some time to understand my tasks.”