Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud has confirmed that Bangladesh’s national parliamentary elections are expected to take place either at the end of this year or early 2026.
Masud announced this during a meeting with district and upazila election officials Thursday, providing clarity on the anticipated timeline.
The Commissioner reassured the public, emphasizing that the current Election Commission is fully committed to organizing a free, fair, and credible election ensuring transparency in the process.
In his remarks, Masud also provided an update on efforts to update the voters' list, a key part of election preparation. He revealed that 35,000 data collectors are actively working to gather and update information for an accurate voter list, which is crucial for the integrity of the election process.
Masud called on election officials to perform their duties with utmost diligence, urging cooperation across all levels to ensure the list's accuracy. He stressed the importance of trust in the electoral process, especially given the political sensitivity surrounding the upcoming elections.
The meeting, which aimed to review election preparedness and progress on voter list updates, was chaired by Senior Election Officer Khan Shahanur Khan.
Under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina, the past parliamentary elections have been contentious. The 2014 general elections, held under a caretaker government ban, saw widespread protests, boycotts by opposition parties, and significant violence, leading to criticism of the legitimacy of the polls.
In 2018, Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League won a third consecutive term, but those elections were also marred by allegations of vote rigging, political repression, and a lack of transparency. The election results sparked international scrutiny, with several organizations calling for electoral reforms and an improved environment for democratic participation.
In light of this history, Masud’s assurance that the upcoming elections will be conducted fairly is likely to be scrutinized by both domestic and international observers, as political tensions remain high leading up to the next national polls.
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Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud has confirmed that Bangladesh’s national parliamentary elections are expected to take place either at the end of this year or early 2026.
Masud announced this during a meeting with district and upazila election officials Thursday, providing clarity on the anticipated timeline.
The Commissioner reassured the public, emphasizing that the current Election Commission is fully committed to organizing a free, fair, and credible election ensuring transparency in the process.
In his remarks, Masud also provided an update on efforts to update the voters' list, a key part of election preparation. He revealed that 35,000 data collectors are actively working to gather and update information for an accurate voter list, which is crucial for the integrity of the election process.
Masud called on election officials to perform their duties with utmost diligence, urging cooperation across all levels to ensure the list's accuracy. He stressed the importance of trust in the electoral process, especially given the political sensitivity surrounding the upcoming elections.
The meeting, which aimed to review election preparedness and progress on voter list updates, was chaired by Senior Election Officer Khan Shahanur Khan.
Under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina, the past parliamentary elections have been contentious. The 2014 general elections, held under a caretaker government ban, saw widespread protests, boycotts by opposition parties, and significant violence, leading to criticism of the legitimacy of the polls.
In 2018, Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League won a third consecutive term, but those elections were also marred by allegations of vote rigging, political repression, and a lack of transparency. The election results sparked international scrutiny, with several organizations calling for electoral reforms and an improved environment for democratic participation.
In light of this history, Masud’s assurance that the upcoming elections will be conducted fairly is likely to be scrutinized by both domestic and international observers, as political tensions remain high leading up to the next national polls.
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