Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has called upon Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNO) to discharge their electoral duties with strict adherence to the law and without yielding to any form of pressure.
The CEC made this call on Wednesday morning while inaugurating a training programme on election management for UNOs at the Election Training Institute in Agargaon, Dhaka.
The Election Commission (EC) organised the training in preparation for the 13th National Parliamentary Election.
The chief guest at the event was Nasir Uddin. He told the UNO, “It should not happen that the polling centres and ballot boxes have already been taken over, the perpetrators have gone home and only then you appear at the scene.”
He emphasised that UNO must coordinate effectively with all relevant agencies involved in the electoral process. The CEC stated that any emerging issue must be addressed immediately and proactively, not after the incident has concluded. He instructed that UNO must not bow to any pressure and must remain steadfast in decisions made in accordance with the law.
Nasir Uddin assured that the Election Commission will extend all necessary support to ensure free and fair elections. He further stated that the Commission itself will not yield to any form of pressure and will issue all directives strictly within the framework of existing laws.
Addressing the UNO he added, “Whatever responsibilities you are assigned, you must carry them out fairly, lawfully and impartially. Your conduct must always reflect respect for the rule of law.”
The event was chaired by Senior Secretary of the Election Commission Secretariat, Akhtar Ahmed. Special guests included Election Commissioners Brigadier General (Retd.) Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah, Md. Anwarul Islam Sarker, Tahmida Ahmed and Abdur Rahmanel Masud. The Director General of the Election Training Institute, Muhammad Hasanuzzaman, delivered the welcome address.
In his remarks, Brigadier General (Retd.) Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah noted that certain sections of the Representation of the People Order (RPO) and the Election Code of Conduct may undergo amendments, and the UNOs should remain aware of these potential changes.
Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd.) Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah briefed the trainees on OCV (Out of Country Voting) for expatriate voters and ICPV (In Country Postal Voting) for election personnel engaged in electoral duties. He informed the participants that the online application for expatriate voters would be opened to the public on 16 November.
Highlighting the pivotal role of Executive Magistrates in the electoral process, Sanaullah stated that efforts to create an appropriate electoral environment must begin immediately. He emphasised that the administration must act impartially and the atmosphere of neutrality must be established well before the election.
Election Commissioner Md. Anwarul Islam urged officials to perform their election duties with courage and integrity. Addressing the UNO he said, “There is no reason to be afraid, as the Election Commission will stand beside officials who act rightly. However, those who deliberately engage in misconduct will face severe consequences.”
He added that, in the event of any clashes or disturbances while maintaining law and order, both parties must be detained immediately and no leniency should be shown. The mobile courts must also function with absolute transparency, ensuring that no allegations of bias could arise.
Anwarul Islam further noted that officials who perform their duties diligently and impartially in the upcoming election would be rewarded for their service.
Election Commissioner Tahmida Ahmed advised election officials not to be overly zealous or excessively daring during election operations. She reminded them that orders from senior authorities should be followed only within appropriate limits.
Tahmida Ahmed remarked, “You must use your own knowledge, wisdom and experience to distinguish between right and wrong and act accordingly.”
Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Mashud underscored that there is no alternative to conducting a fair election. He said, “We are at a critical situation; there is no alternative but to deliver a credible election. Officials must perform their assigned duties accurately and effectively to present an election that earns the confidence of both the public and the international community.”
News Agency BSS added,
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin today said that the Election Commission (EC) would not bow to any undue pressure from anyone in discharging its duties to ensure a free, fair and acceptable national election.
"The message I want to give you is this - you must not bow down to any pressure. Stand firm in your own lawful decisions. We will extend all necessary support from our side. The EC will also not bow to any unjust pressure," he said.
The CEC made the remarks to the Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) while inaugurating a Training of Trainers (ToT) programme on election management at the Election Training Institute (ETI) in the city's Agargaon ahead of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad elections.
He added, "Therefore, we will not give you any unjust orders. We will not give any unlawful instructions. You can be assured that the law in force relevant to the election will guide our directives, and you will follow them accordingly. You should make efforts to deliver a good and acceptable election."
Referring to the dream of a new Bangladesh, the CEC told the UNOs, "You will work lawfully, impartially, and professionally. That is what we expect."
"We are dreaming of a new Bangladesh. I sincerely believe that the main reason for the current plight of our country is that we are not respectful of the law," he said, adding, "We think that the more a nation respects the law, the more civilized it is. The civilized world, however, always respects the law. We need to cultivate this culture."
The CEC said, "We want the rule of law. We did not make laws to establish rule by law. We want rule of law. We want everyone at all levels to follow the law. We will remain respectful of the law and establish it in all spheres."
He continued, "Within my area of responsibility, I will implement the law. We expect you to perform your duties with respect for the laws."
Mentioning that Coordination is a major aspect during elections, he said, "Since you are deployed at the upazila level, the responsibility for coordination primarily rests on you. You are the ones who carry out this coordination."
He went on, saying "Therefore, this coordination is extremely important during the election ... coordination with law enforcement agencies, coordination with our presiding officers, coordination with our central monitoring cell, and coordination with the district-level election monitoring cell. You must take this overall coordination very seriously."
He added, "You have to shoulder this responsibility. In case of any crisis, you should try to resolve it at the very beginning."
Election Commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Begum Tahmida Ahmad, Md. Anwarul Islam Sarker, and Brigadier General Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah (retd) also spoke with Senior Secretary of the EC Secretariat Akhtar Ahmed in chair.
Anwarul Islam Sarkar told the UNOs, "Regarding the upcoming election, there is no reason to be afraid. The message from the EC to you is that you need not fear. Perform your duties correctly; the EC is with you."
He added, "But if you act with purposeful motives, you will face severe difficulties. We will provide all the support necessary for you to perform your duties properly."
Sarkar further said, "You must work courageously and impartially. To protect job dignity and the question of survival, we have no choice but to do so. We have to create an atmosphere for elections."
Noting that a disciplined environment is essential for a good election, Anwarul Islam Sarkar said the mobile courts must be transparent like a mirror, and no bias will be allowed. "Mobile courts must now be regularized from now on."
He also said that those who perform their duties well in this election will be rewarded.
Begum Tahmida Ahmad said, "We will be courageous, but not over-courageous. In the past, many acted unlawfully out of excessive enthusiasm. This time, that must not happen."
"We must forget the previous training in order to take the training being given now," she said.
Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah said, "Those who are in the election field must follow the code of conduct. The administration will work firmly and impartially."
He added, "In this election, through coordinated field administration, we can conduct an exemplary election. Let us demonstrate it this time."