Chief Election Commissioner Highlights New Challenges in Upcoming Election

Dhaka, August 29, 2025: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin stated that the 13th National Parliamentary Election is presenting new and evolving challenges that must be addressed. He made these remarks during the inauguration of a two-day training program for core trainers at the Election Training Institute in Agargaon, Dhaka, on Friday.

The training program was organized in preparation for the upcoming national election. CEC Nasir Uddin said, “We are facing new challenges that were not present before. These include issues related to politics, law and order, and other matters. While law and order challenges existed previously to some extent, their intensity seems higher now.”

Highlighting the challenge of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the misuse of social media, the CEC noted, “Unlike other challenges, the use of AI and the misuse of social media are new phenomena. We are yet to fully understand the extent of these challenges.” He added, “To counter misinformation and disinformation, we will establish a Central Data Cell, and its message must reach remote areas, including villages, chars, and hilly regions. Those undergoing training will be responsible for carrying out this task.” Election Commissioner Abdur Rahman Masud reflected on the fate of former CECs, stating, “This election will be high-risk. One former CEC was humiliated, and another is currently in prison, which is unfortunate.” He emphasized the need for a thorough analysis of these incidents in the future but urged current officials to focus on discharging their duties in accordance with the law and the Constitution. “Fulfilling responsibilities legally is the true essence of a level playing field,” Masud said, stressing the importance of integrity, ethics, and neutrality for election officials. He added, “There is no alternative to conducting a fair and credible election this time.” Election Commissioner Md. Anwarul Islam Sarker echoed that the 13th parliamentary election will be the most high-risk in Bangladesh’s history, underscoring that the Election Commission’s primary responsibility is to ensure a fair and acceptable election with no alternative. Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah emphasized the need for proper training on voting procedures and laws for overseas voters. He noted that 60 officials, reinstated following a court order, have been assigned to handle postal ballots for expatriate voters. The event, chaired by Senior Secretary of the Election Commission Secretariat Akhtar Ahmed, also featured speeches by Election Commissioner Tahmida Ahmad, Brigadier General (Retd.) Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah, and Director General of the Election Training Institute S M Asaduzzaman, among others.