Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has stated that all necessary preparations must be finalised by October if the upcoming national election is to be held in December.
Speaking at the "RFED-Talk" event at the Election Commission headquarters in Agargaon on Sunday (26 January), he stressed the urgency of completing legal and procedural reforms within this timeframe.
Nasir Uddin reiterated the Election Commission’s independence, cautioning against any parliamentary standing committee oversight, which he believes would undermine the EC’s authority.
“If the commission becomes dependent on the standing committee, its autonomy will be compromised. Any such recommendations must be revoked,” he asserted.
He further emphasised that voter roll updates and constituency delimitations fall solely within the EC’s jurisdiction and must not be subject to external interference.
Addressing election system reforms, he acknowledged the numerous recommendations put forth but maintained that implementation remains a formidable challenge.
Dismissing suggestions to limit the EC’s role in delimitation, he stated unequivocally, “This is the Election Commission’s prerogative.”
The election timeline has been a subject of considerable debate.
In his Victory Day address, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus hinted that the next parliamentary election could take place within 12 to 18 months, contingent upon political consensus and electoral reforms.
Meanwhile, on 14 January, BNP proposed that elections be held by July or August this year.
Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud, during a visit to Patuakhali on 23 January, underscored the importance of refining voter registration processes to ensure a seamless electoral process.
Referring to the chief adviser’s tentative timeline, he noted that elections could take place in December 2025 or January 2026, provided that law and order conditions remain stable.
As the nation awaits a definitive schedule, the coming months will be critical in determining whether the necessary reforms can be implemented in time to meet the proposed election timeframe.
