The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), AMM Nasir Uddin, has stated that reforms deemed urgent and within the jurisdiction of the Election Commission (EC) will be implemented independently by the Commission.
However, any reforms entangled with political considerations must be pursued through national consensus.
He made the remarks on Thursday (24 April) during a media briefing following a meeting with newly appointed Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Susan Ryley, at the EC headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka.
According to the CEC, the Australian envoy had inquired about the EC’s preparedness ahead of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament) elections. In response, the EC provided a detailed overview of its preparations.
Ryley also sought to understand the scope and nature of proposed reforms and expressed her country's willingness to extend support should any assistance be required.
Addressing journalists’ questions on electoral reforms, Nasir Uddin reiterated that the EC is prepared to carry out reforms that are both immediately necessary and feasible before the elections, provided they fall within the EC's remit.
However, reforms involving political dimensions lie beyond the EC’s mandate and must be addressed through broader political consensus.
In the meeting, the CEC also shared updates on the EC's progress in preparing for the elections, including the revision of the voter list, procurement processes, legal reforms, and the registration of political parties.
