Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin today ruled out any apprehension about holding the coming election.

“The Election Commission (EC) alongside the law-enforcement agencies is fully prepared. So there is no fear regarding the election. The election will be held, Insha’Allah, with everyone on board and with everyone’s cooperation,” he asserted.

The CEC made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of the GenVote Festival in the capital’s Gulshan-1 area this morning.

He said, “The law-enforcement agencies informed the Commission yesterday about their complete preparedness to ensure peace and order until the election period so that a free and fair election can be conducted.”

He continued, “Please stay assured, shed all worries and get prepared for the election. At the right time and in the right manner, Insha’Allah, we will witness a free, fair, beautiful and competitive election.”

Hoping to make the upcoming polls as a historic one, the CEC said this will be the first time in the last 54 years when expatriate Bangladeshis are being brought under the voting system through postal ballots. 

For the first time, he said, voting arrangements are also being made for nearly one million officials, employees and members of the law-enforcement agencies involved in the election process. 

Voting arrangements are being made for those who are in prison and government employees posted outside their respective constituencies. 

The CEC noted that a referendum would be held on the same day alongside the election. Considering all these aspects, it can rightly be said that this is going to be a historic election.

“We have boldly stepped forward. If the youth come forward with courage, Insha’Allah, we will be succeeded. Together, we will conduct a free and impartial election,” the CEC hoped.

Pointing out the exceptional initiatives taken to encourage young voters, the CEC said that he always believed in the power of youths.

He called upon the country’s youth to cast their votes spontaneously to build a beautiful and prosperous future Bangladesh.

Election Commission Secretariat Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, European Union (EU) Ambassador Michael Miller, Second Secretary (Political Affairs) Philippe Bernier Arcand, British High Commission’s Political Councellor Timothy Duckett, Head of Development Cooperation of the Sweden Embassy Eva Smedberg, and IFES Country Director Paul Guerin, among others, were present.

EU, UK International Development, the Swedish Embassy, the Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems supported this event.

The day-long GenVote Festival is being held today, featuring a variety of colourful events including mock voting, comics, caricatures and art festivals to inspire young people to vote.

Several stalls have been set up to provide helpful information about voting, while different sessions are being held to inform the voters particularly young ones about the voting process.