Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin today said that the Election Commission (EC) would not bow to any undue pressure from anyone in discharging its duties to ensure a free, fair and acceptable national election.

"The message I want to give you is this - you must not bow down to any pressure. Stand firm in your own lawful decisions. We will extend all necessary support from our side. The EC will also not bow to any unjust pressure," he said.

The CEC made the remarks to the Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) while inaugurating a Training of Trainers (ToT) programme on election management at the Electoral Training Institute (ETI) in the city's Agargaon ahead of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad elections.

He added, "Therefore, we will not give you any unjust orders. We will not give any unlawful instructions. You can be assured that the law in force relevant to the election will guide our directives, and you will follow them accordingly. You should make efforts to deliver a good and acceptable election."

Referring to the dream of a new Bangladesh, the CEC told the UNOs, "You will work lawfully, impartially, and professionally. That is what we expect."

"We are dreaming of a new Bangladesh. I sincerely believe that the main reason for the current plight of our country is that we are not respectful of the law," he said, adding, "We think that the more a nation respects the law, the more civilized it is. The civilized world, however, always respects the law. We need to cultivate this culture."

The CEC said, "We want the rule of law. We did not make laws to establish rule by law. We want rule of law. We want everyone at all levels to follow the law. We will remain respectful of the law and establish it in all spheres." 

He continued, "Within my area of responsibility, I will implement the law. We expect you to perform your duties with respect for the laws."

Mentioning that Coordination is a major aspect during elections, he said, "Since you are deployed at the upazila level, the responsibility for coordination primarily rests on you. You are the ones who carry out this coordination."

He went on, saying "Therefore, this coordination is extremely important during the election ... coordination with law enforcement agencies, coordination with our presiding officers, coordination with our central monitoring cell, and coordination with the district-level election monitoring cell. You must take this overall coordination very seriously."

He added, "You have to shoulder this responsibility. In case of any crisis, you should try to resolve it at the very beginning."

Election Commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Begum Tahmida Ahmad, Md. Anwarul Islam Sarker, and Brigadier General Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah (retd) also spoke with Senior Secretary of the EC Secretariat Akhtar Ahmed in chair.

Anwarul Islam Sarkar told the UNOs, "Regarding the upcoming election, there is no reason to be afraid. The message from the EC to you is that you need not fear. Perform your duties correctly; the EC is with you." 

He added, "But if you act with purposeful motives, you will face severe difficulties. We will provide all the support necessary for you to perform your duties properly."

Sarkar further said, "You must work courageously and impartially. To protect job dignity and the question of survival, we have no choice but to do so. We have to create an atmosphere for elections."

Noting that a disciplined environment is essential for a good election, Anwarul Islam Sarkar said the mobile courts must be transparent like a mirror, and no bias will be allowed. "Mobile courts must now be regularized from now on." 

He also said that those who perform their duties well in this election will be rewarded. 

Begum Tahmida Ahmad said, "We will be courageous, but not over-courageous. In the past, many acted unlawfully out of excessive enthusiasm. This time, that must not happen." 

"We must forget the previous training in order to take the training being given now," she said.
 
Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah said, "Those who are in the election field must follow the code of conduct. The administration will work firmly and impartially." 

He added, "In this election, through coordinated field administration, we can conduct an exemplary election. Let us demonstrate it this time."