BNP Questions Election Commission’s Ability to Ensure Fair Polls, Remains Hopeful for Inclusive Election

Dhaka, August 31, 2025 – The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) expressed concerns over the Election Commission’s (EC) capacity to conduct a free and fair national election but maintained hope that the upcoming polls would be participatory and inclusive. The remarks were made by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed following a meeting with two election commissioners at the EC headquarters in Dhaka on Sunday afternoon. He was accompanied by BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Ismail Jabiullah.

Rizvi voiced doubts about the EC’s ability to ensure a transparent election, citing the presence of individuals within the administration who he claimed were aligned with “fascist” elements and engaged in tactics to undermine a fair electoral process. “We have doubts about the Election Commission’s capability – whether the election will truly be free and fair is in question. At different levels of the administration, there are accomplices who are involved in various conspiracies to obstruct a free election,” he stated.

However, Rizvi noted that the EC assured the BNP delegation that it was prioritizing transparency and making necessary preparations for a fair election. The commission also acknowledged discussions by some political parties about adopting a proportional representation (PR) system. Rizvi clarified that the BNP believes implementing the PR system is not feasible at this stage, and their leaders had conveyed this stance to the EC in detail. The discussion also touched on the EC’s “Vision 2030” initiative, which includes provisions for voting rights for expatriate Bangladeshis. Rizvi inquired about the possibility of postal ballots for expatriates, to which the EC responded that it was actively working on the issue. The commission also provided updates on boundary re-demarcation efforts, though specific constituencies were not discussed. Addressing the recent controversy surrounding the Jatiya Party’s registration and the attack on Gono Odhikar Parishad chief Nurul Haque Nur, Rizvi said the EC’s decisions on party registration fall within its constitutional authority and should not be seen as an obstacle to the election. He described the attack on Nur as an isolated incident, emphasizing that such events do not necessarily derail democratic processes, citing similar occurrences in neighboring India. Condemning the attack, Rizvi demanded an impartial investigation and action against those responsible, noting Nur’s role in anti-fascist movements.