The CEC made the remarks on Saturday morning (October 11) while addressing a workshop with polling officials on the election process in Chattogram.
“We are gathering advice from experienced individuals in today’s workshop,” said Nasir Uddin. “We are learning from the experiences of those who have previously conducted elections. Wherever there are shortcomings, we will work to overcome them. We have to act swiftly because there are many challenges ahead. Unfortunately, in our culture, some people tend to remain idle despite having responsibilities — that must change.”
He emphasized the importance of empowering field-level officials, saying, “We want to create empowered presiding officers, polling officers, and returning officers. We are delegating full authority to you. If you fail to use that power properly, it will be considered a dereliction of duty. Not taking necessary action at the right time will not be tolerated. Power is important, but using it responsibly is equally crucial.”
The Chief Election Commissioner added, “We want to show what the rule of law truly means through this election. Whatever happens, as long as you carry out your duties within the law, the Election Commission will give you its full support.”
Highlighting the Commission’s broader goals, Nasir Uddin said, “Our objective is to organize a transparent, fair, and participatory election. To achieve this, the role of trained, impartial, and responsible officials is essential.”
He also underscored the importance of effective training for election officials, noting that training programs should be tailored to participants’ backgrounds rather than following a one-size-fits-all model. “Some participants come from different professions and may have no prior experience in election duties. The training should make them proficient and confident in performing their roles,” he said.
Explaining the chain of command, the CEC stated, “The presiding officer at each polling station will act as the ‘Chief Election Officer’ of that center, empowered to take all necessary legal actions. If required, they may suspend polling or enforce the law — but they must do so courageously and impartially.”
Discussing challenges ahead of the election, Nasir Uddin identified security as the biggest concern. “Although there are administrative, legal, and technical challenges, ensuring proper security remains the most difficult task,” he said, stressing the need for stronger coordination between the administration and law enforcement agencies.
To strengthen that coordination, the Election Commission is forming a Central Coordination Cell and an Emergency Response Unit to ensure quick communication and rapid response across the country. “Effective coordination among presiding officers, returning officers, the administration, and law enforcement agencies will be key to a successful election,” he noted.
The CEC further revealed that the Election Commission has established a specialized cell to combat fake news and AI-driven propaganda on social media. However, he admitted that “public awareness about the cell’s activities has not yet been sufficiently promoted.”
Nasir Uddin concluded by urging election officials to work with integrity and dedication to uphold the rule of law, ensure transparency, and protect the credibility of the electoral process.
