CEC vows ‘no staged election’ as turnout builds

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has asserted that the Election Commission remains neutral and that the ongoing polls are not staged.

“There will be no more staged elections in this country. People must forget about the idea of staged elections,” he said.

He made these remarks on Thursday morning after casting his vote at Eskaton Garden High School in the capital, while responding to questions from journalists.

Nasir Uddin said that the Election Commission (EC) had made all necessary preparations after spending sleepless nights. Free and fair elections are being held across the country. People in villages and towns are celebrating the festival of voting.

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He added, “Bangladesh has boarded the train of democracy. Inshallah, the train of democracy will reach its destination. I feel proud to make my final contribution to the nation. I hope the voting process will be completed smoothly. I believe this election will restore public confidence in the Election Commission.”

The CEC said that although one or two minor incidents occurred outside polling centers, immediate action was taken. Election officials have been instructed to remain neutral. “If anyone fails to do so, they will be accountable on the Day of Judgment,” he said.

Voting is underway across the country for the 13th National Parliamentary Election and the referendum. Although polling officially began at 7:30 am on Thursday, voters started arriving at centers from early morning. Voting will continue until 4:30 pm in 299 parliamentary constituencies.

A total of 42,779 polling centers have been set up nationwide, with 247,482 polling booths. Fifty political parties are participating in this election.

A total of 2,028 candidates are contesting in the election. Of them, 1,755 are nominated by political parties and 273 are independent candidates. There are 83 female candidates (63 from political parties and 20 independents).

In this parliamentary election and referendum, 127,711,893 voters from 299 constituencies are expected to exercise their voting rights. Among them, 64,825,361 are male voters, 62,885,200 are female voters, and 1,232 are registered as third-gender voters.

The Election Commission has canceled the election in Sherpur-3 constituency following the death of a Jamaat-e-Islami candidate. As a result, voting is being held simultaneously in 299 parliamentary seats instead of 300.