Foreign Diplomats Voice Confidence in Bangladesh Election Commission, Says CEC

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin said on Sunday that foreign diplomats stationed in Bangladesh have expressed full confidence in the Election Commission’s ability to conduct a free, fair, neutral, and credible 13th national parliamentary election.

He made the remarks while speaking to journalists after a meeting with diplomats from various embassies and missions at the Westin Hotel in Dhaka’s Gulshan area around 12:15pm.

“We briefed them on all preparations and processes we have undertaken to ensure a transparent and credible election,” Nasir Uddin said. “They expressed satisfaction with our overall readiness and appreciated our efforts.”

The CEC added that diplomats conveyed their confidence in the commission’s commitment to a fair election. He said the commission provided detailed explanations of its activities and assured the diplomats that measures were in place to prevent vote-buying.

On election security, Nasir Uddin said the commission informed diplomats that the army and Ansar forces would assist the police during polling to help maintain law and order.

“They clearly understood our action plan and were satisfied that our objective is transparent and focused on ensuring a smooth election,” he said, adding that the diplomats also assured continued cooperation.

Earlier in the day, the Election Commission formally briefed foreign diplomats on preparations for the upcoming parliamentary election and referendum at a meeting that began at 10:00am in the Westin Hotel’s ballroom.

The meeting was attended by Election Commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida Ahmad, Md Anwarul Islam Sarker, and Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah, Brigadier General (retd), along with Senior Secretary of the EC Secretariat Akhtar Ahmed and other senior officials.

Ambassadors, high commissioners, and representatives from various countries, as well as officials from the European Union and the United Nations, took part in the briefing.

According to Election Commission sources, the diplomats were informed about overall election preparations, the electoral process, the appointment of international observers, steps to ensure transparency, and the prevailing law and order situation.