EC Md. Sanaullah joined voter list update programme in Rangpur Regional Election Officer's Office auditorium on Sunday. Photo: BSS

RANGPUR, Jan 26, 2025 (BSS) - Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah has said that the image of all institutions, including the Election Commission (EC), must be restored by ensuring fair elections. 
 
"We are committed to ensuring fair elections. In the past, the image of all institutions was questioned due to questionable elections," he said.
 
Md. Sanaullah said this while talking to journalists after participating as the chief guest in the voter list update programme and views exchange meeting related to the 13th Jatiya Sangsad elections held at the Regional Election Officer's Office auditorium here on Sunday. 
 
He said the constitutional responsibility of the Election Commission is to conduct elections. 
 
"We are working ahead of the parliamentary elections. If the government decides to hold the local government elections, then the Election Commission will assist it," he said. 
 
Brig Gen Sanaullah said, "The elections will be held with those who are registered before the announcement of the election schedule. However, we have to see where the overall political and judicial process stands." 
 
There are judicial processes, political decisions and consensus issues in the participation of political parties in the elections, he said, adding, "The Chief Advisor said that it's possible to hold elections in December this year or by June next year." 
 
"It depends on the extent of reforms during this time. Although, reform works are ongoing. The reform commissions have also submitted recommendations," he said.
 
The Chief Advisor will form a national consensus commission. Through this, opinions related to elections will be taken on a priority basis. Based on this, necessary amendments will be made to the laws and rules. 
 
"After that, the election process will begin. However the preliminary election process has already begun," the Election Commissioner said.
 
He said the recommendation of the reform commission has said that voting in electronic voting machines (EVMs) should not be accepted. The Election Commission has decided that EVMs are not being used in the upcoming national elections. 
 
Regarding the updating of the voter list, he said, "We have started updating the voter list. Through this, the process of conducting a fair election has begun. Everything from the voter list to voting and announcement of results will be transparent and fair." 
 
Earlier, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Rabiul Faisal, District Superintendent of Police Abu Md Saim and election officials spoke at the view-exchange meeting chaired by Rangpur Regional Election Officer Mohammad Azizul Islam. 
 
Later, Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah inspected the voter updating activities at Lions School and College in the city.