Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin said on Saturday (August 23) that the election schedule will proceed according to the recommendations of the Chief Adviser, without being influenced by political parties’ statements on whether the poll should happen. He added that since receiving the Chief Adviser’s letter, the commission has intensified preparations for the 13th national parliamentary elections, aiming to hold the polls before Ramadan next February.

Speaking at a meeting with election officials from the Rajshahi region at the local administration building today at 10 am, AMM Nasir Uddin reiterated that the commission will not engage in political disputes or be influenced by any political party. “The Election Commission is preparing to conduct the parliamentary elections properly. Proportional representation or PR methods are not in the constitution; we cannot go beyond that. Political parties are debating this, but we do not want to get involved. If legal amendments are made, then that will take place,” he said.

Nasir Uddin added, “The voter list has been updated, preparations for polling are underway, and draft boundary delimitations have been published. Hearings on the electoral boundaries will begin next Sunday and continue through Thursday. There are no plans to reassign district officials or police superintendents who have previously handled such duties.”

He added that the current government has not pressured him regarding the election. “If there is pressure, I will resign; I will not remain in the chair,” he said.

Addressing concerns regarding election security, the CEC said, “As the vote approaches, the law-and-order situation will improve. Those dreaming of seizing ballot boxes will be disappointed. Forget the history of capturing polling stations. We will take a firm stance.” He warned that any attempt to occupy polling centers would result in the annulment of the entire vote and cautioned that those planning to use weapons to win would face consequences.

To strengthen security, the commission is working to integrate the military into the law enforcement framework, ensuring they are part of the forces maintaining election order.

He also noted, “5,700 officials are under the Election Commission’s jurisdiction. They have served in previous elections. Where would we send them. Officials who committed irregularities in past elections on their own initiative will not be retained,” he said.