EC determined to organise a fair election: CEC

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on Sunday said the Election Commission is determined to organise a free and fair by-election in the Thakurgaon-1 constituency.

Speaking to journalists after inspecting the monitoring cell at the Election Bhaban in Agargaon, the CEC said all necessary measures have been taken to ensure free and fair voting. 

An adequate number of security personnel will be deployed to maintain law and order, he added.

The monitoring cell will function in the same manner as during the 13th national parliamentary election, Nasir Uddin noted. “The atmosphere in the election field is good,” he said.

Expressing optimism, the CEC said, “We assure that just as the 13th national parliamentary election was praised at home and abroad, InshaAllah this by-election will also be praised. We will take all necessary measures for this purpose.”

He said the commission will centrally monitor the overall situation in real time from the Election Bhaban so that timely steps can be taken if needed.

Earlier in the afternoon, the EC held a meeting with representatives of law enforcement agencies under the CEC’s leadership, with other election commissioners also present. 

Nasir Uddin reiterated that sufficient law enforcement personnel will be deployed to keep the situation fully under control.

According to the EC schedule, Sunday was the last day for submission of nomination papers. Voting will take place from 8am to 4pm on Thursday, October 29, using transparent ballot boxes. 

The Thakurgaon District Election Officer is serving as the Returning Officer.

Nomination papers will be scrutinized on  September 29. Appeals against the Returning Officer’s decisions can be filed from September 30 to October 4 and will be disposed of on  October 6. The last date for withdrawal of candidature is October 7, with symbols to be allotted on October 8.

Registration for postal voting within the country remains open from September 27 to October 8. 

Government officials, employees and those on election duty have been asked to register through the ‘Postal Vote BD’ mobile app. Registration for expatriate voters was completed between September 12 and 20.

The seat fell vacant after Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, elected from Thakurgaon-1 in the 13th national parliamentary election, assumed office as the country’s 23rd President.