Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin announced today that foreign observers who showed bias in certifying the last three national elections will not be permitted to monitor future polls.
The CEC made this statement to the media following a meeting with Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Ajit Singh, at the Election Commission office in Agargaon.
“Why should we approve those who certified the last three elections? Should we accept the observers who declared those elections to be very good and acceptable? We will only accept the observers who are experienced, dependable, reliable, and have monitored elections in various countries. We will not accept those who endorsed the last three elections,” he asserted.
During the meeting, the CEC updated the High Commissioner on the commission’s ongoing preparations for the upcoming elections.
“We have informed the High Commissioner about the preparatory work we’ve undertaken so far across various sectors,” the CEC stated, adding that detailed information was provided on preparations, particularly the plan to launch nationwide voter education activities and an awareness campaign.
The Canadian High Commissioner inquired about Bangladesh’s capability to conduct the upcoming elections effectively. In response, the CEC assured him of the Election Commission’s readiness and shared detailed updates, including plans for a nationwide voter awareness and education campaign.
Regarding artificial intelligence (AI), the CEC highlighted its potential misuse as a serious concern. “Misuse of AI poses a threat to our electoral process. Canada faced similar challenges in its last election and has assured us of support. We’ve sought their guidance based on their experience,” he explained.
“The Election Commission is taking the matter very seriously and hopes to receive full cooperation from Canada, as well as from other international partners,” he added.
“We are confident in our ability to hold free, fair, and impartial elections,” the CEC affirmed.
He noted that the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is supporting the Election Commission, assuring that they will address any emerging gaps. They also stressed the importance of free, fair, and acceptable elections, with discussions including the inclusion of women voters, ensuring voter participation in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, and the threat of AI misuse. The CEC acknowledged AI as a serious concern for Bangladesh, with efforts underway to address it.
In response to a query about foreign observers, he said, “We have invited the European Union to act as observers. They have been asked to inform us in advance. Since they will need to coordinate and send observers from 28 countries, we have welcomed them ahead of time.”
The CEC mentioned that Canada has expressed support for the commission’s overall efforts, including voter awareness campaigns, training of polling officers, observers, and agents.
He further stated that Canada is ready to assist and that discussions will continue. “Canada has expressed its desire to see free, fair, and credible elections. They have also emphasized the importance of including women in the voter registration process and inquired about voter awareness initiatives in the hilly regions,” he said, adding that the EC confirmed ongoing preparations in these areas.
He concluded by stating that the Canadian High Commissioner expressed satisfaction after gaining a clear understanding of the Election Commission’s commitment.
