Local govt polls ‘challenging’, but EC will spare no effort: CEC

AMM Nasir Uddin described the upcoming local government elections as “challenging” but said the Election Commission of Bangladesh would leave no stone unturned in its preparations on Thursday (May 21).

He, however, stressed that cooperation from political parties would be crucial to ensuring peaceful grassroots elections.

“We are taking all-out preparations to face this challenge,” the chief election commissioner said while speaking at a programme held at a hotel in Gulshan, Dhaka, during the launch of a report on the 13th National Parliamentary Election and Referendum by Asian Network for Free Elections.

“We in the Election Commission are neither for nor against anyone. We want to create an environment where people can cast their votes and return home safely,” he added.

Highlighting the scale of the upcoming polls, Nasir Uddin said the commission would have to conduct elections in 4,581 unions, 500 upazilas, 61 districts, 13 city corporations and 330 municipalities.

“These are huge tasks ahead. There will be no lack of effort on our part,” he said.

The CEC said democracy must reach the grassroots level, stressing that local government institutions directly serve the people.

“For the sake of the country and in everyone’s interest, democracy must go to the grassroots. Grassroots democracy is even more important because these bodies directly serve the people,” he said.

Nasir Uddin also said local government elections would be conducted with the same standards as national elections.

Referring to past violence during local polls, he noted that 236 people were killed during the 2016 local government elections, while 116 people died in the 2021 union parishad elections.

“This violence must stop in local government elections,” he said.

He added that the commission would launch awareness campaigns, engage with stakeholders and work to bring all parties together to avoid conflict and ensure peaceful elections.

Emphasising the importance of political cooperation, the CEC said the support of political parties would be essential for holding credible local government polls.

Speaking about the 13th parliamentary election and referendum, he said he wanted to see power transferred to an elected government.

“A caretaker or interim government cannot continue for years. A democratic government must come. Only a democratic government can address all issues and ensure the country’s development,” he said.

When asked whether local government elections would be easier under a political government, Nasir Uddin said preventing violence remained the commission’s top priority.