Can Bangladesh‍‍`s new Election Commission ensure free and fair elections?

The country‍‍`s election system is facing serious criticism after the last three national elections were marred by controversy.

Opposition parties argue that the system is now broken, with calls for the restoration of voting rights and democracy growing louder across the nation.

Election expert Munira Khan has pointed out that the Election Commission is responsible for organizing elections, with the government supposed to offer support, as stated in the Constitution.

However, many people blame the Election Commission for the poor state of the previous elections.

The new Election Commission, led by Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin, now faces the difficult task of restoring trust and ensuring that elections are fair and credible.

This challenge is made more complicated by ongoing debates about how the commission was formed.

Some experts, like Abdul Alim, believe that a fair election can still be held if there is political agreement and cooperation.

He pointed to the 1991 and 1996 elections, noting that even without formal laws, an informal political consensus helped ensure better elections during those years.

Alim explained, “Consensus is key. When there’s agreement, good results follow.”

In a recent statement, the new Chief Election Commissioner, A M M Nasir Uddin, promised to create a level playing field for all political parties in the upcoming elections.

He acknowledged the challenges ahead but said the commission would prepare everything needed to ensure a fair process.

“We are ready to take on the challenges. We will make sure that everyone who wants to participate can do so,” he said.

The new commission is made up of several former government officials, including retired secretary A M M Nasir Uddin as Chief Commissioner, and commissioners Mohammad Anwarul Islam Shorkar, Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tohmida Ahmed, and Abul Fazl Mohammad Sanauallah.

This comes at a time when the country’s electoral process is under intense scrutiny, with many hoping that the new commission can help restore confidence in the system.

Source: BBC Bangla