Election Commissioner Md. Anwarul Islam Sarkar has confirmed that the 13th National Parliamentary Election will be held in February next year, emphasizing that the Election Commission (EC) is fully committed to conducting a free, fair, and transparent election.
“The whole world is watching this election. We cannot allow it to be questioned or undermined. It is clear the election will take place in February, before Ramadan. There is no doubt about that,” the commissioner said at a workshop titled ‘Challenges and Solutions in Fulfilling Duties by Polling Officials in the Electoral Process’, held on Saturday morning at the FIVDB Hall in Shantiganj upazila, Sunamganj.
Commissioner Anwarul Islam added that despite the country’s recent political uncertainty, preparations are progressing smoothly. “Since the situation after August 5, it is an achievement that we can sit together in this environment. The government, police, and other law enforcement agencies are well-prepared for the upcoming election,” he said.
Addressing election officials, he assured full institutional support: “The Election Commission stands with you. You will get every opportunity to ensure a fair election. We will guarantee the highest level of security for all officials. Be transparent, be courageous you are the Chief Election Officers at your respective polling centers.”
He also announced that a special budget will be allocated for 509 remote polling centers in Sunamganj.
Warning against any attempts to disrupt or manipulate the election, the commissioner said, “No one will be spared no matter how powerful they are if they try to tarnish the integrity of the election. The Election Commission will make no compromises.”
The workshop was presided over by Sylhet Regional Election Officer Md. Ala Uddin and organized under the CBPEP project with support from The Ballot and Drip Project. Special guests included EC Additional Secretary K.M. Ali Newaz, Sunamganj Deputy Commissioner Dr. Mohammad Elias Mia, Superintendent of Police Tofayel Ahmed, and EC Deputy Secretary Md. Mostafa Hasan.
Also present were ETI Training Director Md. Atiar Rahman, Deputy Secretaries Md. Monir Hossain and Jahangir Hossain, NICS Senior Assistant Chief Md. Mahbubur Rahman, and senior officials from various government institutions in Sunamganj.
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