CEC: No Fake Elections Will Take Place in the Country

PNN News Desk, Dhaka

Chief Election Commissioner A.M.M. Nasir Uddin said no fake elections will occur in the country, and there is no need for people to take to the streets. He assured that the Election Commission will perform its duties impartially according to laws and regulations.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday (January 8) at the Election Commission office in Agargaon while inspecting appeal submission centers, the CEC stated these points.

Regarding appeals against the acceptance or rejection of nomination papers, he said the Election Commission, as the authority on appeals, will ensure the highest level of justice. Whether a returning officer accepts or rejects a nomination paper, the aggrieved person has full right to appeal.

Nasir Uddin said the Election Commission believes in justice. After hearings, decisions will be made in accordance with laws and regulations. He added that the law applies equally to everyone and must be followed.

In past elections, there were incidents of violence, clashes, and bombings on the day of nomination submission. This time, however, nominations were submitted peacefully, which the Commission views positively.

On Thursday, the fourth consecutive day of appeal submissions took place at the Election Commission. Officials stated that 131 appeals were submitted in one day on Wednesday. In the previous three days, a total of 295 appeals had been filed.

According to the EC, on Tuesday, 122 appeals were submitted, and on Monday, 41 appeals against rejections and 1 against acceptance of nominations were filed.

For the current parliamentary elections, 2,568 nomination papers were submitted for 300 seats. Of these, 1,842 were declared valid, and 723 candidates’ nominations were rejected.

Appeals will be heard from January 10 to 18 daily from 10 a.m. at the basement-2 auditorium of the Election Commission office. The full commission will hear these appeals. Results will be displayed on monitors, PDF copies sent to relevant parties and returning officers, and published on the EC website.