Elections will follow previous system until constitution is amended: CEC

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A.M.M. Nasir Uddin has stated that national elections in Bangladesh will continue to be held under the existing system unless the Constitution is amended.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday morning ahead of a meeting with officials from the Khulna Election Commission and local administration at 10 a.m., the CEC said, “Elections will be conducted as they were before, until there is a constitutional change. The election schedule will be announced two months before the polls, and that’s when details such as the voting date and nomination process will be made public.”

Addressing the challenges ahead, the CEC emphasized that ensuring free and fair elections involves numerous hurdles.

“The biggest challenge is restoring public trust in the Election Commission and the electoral process,” he said. “Another major challenge is encouraging voters to return to polling stations, as many have lost interest due to their past inability to cast votes.”

The CEC also warned about the growing threat of misinformation on social media. “Ahead of the elections, we are working on various reforms, but a new challenge has emerged—technological misuse,” he said. “One of the most concerning issues is the spread of unverified and false information on social media platforms using AI tools that mimic people’s voices and statements. This is even more dangerous than weapons in the digital age. Both local and international experts are working to counter this threat.”

Urging the media to avoid spreading misinformation, the CEC requested full cooperation to ensure credible elections. “We are committed to conducting free and fair elections. If the elections are not credible, the future of the country will be bleak,” he warned. “We are working to rebuild public confidence in the Election Commission and to bring voters back to the ballot.”

Also present at the meeting were Khulna Regional Election Officer Faisal Kader, Khulna District Election Officer Farazi Benazir Ahmed, and other senior officials.