CEC Calls for Collective Cooperation to Counter Tech Challenges
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A. M. M. Nasir Uddin has called for collective cooperation in tackling emerging technology-driven challenges ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election.
Speaking at a stakeholder dialogue with election experts on Tuesday, October 7, at the Election Commission (EC) headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka, the CEC highlighted the urgency of confronting issues such as AI abuse and the misuse of social media platforms.
The CEC stated,
“We are having to face new challenges including the abuse of AI and social media ahead of the 13th National Election. We have taken office at a critical juncture, in a particularly sensitive situation. I am 73 years old; I have nothing more to ask from life. I have taken this as the last opportunity in my life. My goal is to ensure a fair and beautiful election. We will need cooperation from all levels of society. We want to move forward together. The Election Commission alone cannot do this.”
Seeking input from former EC officials, he added,
“We are not only asking how to conduct a credible and proper election, but also how election fraud is done—you know it. Many of you have served in the EC for a long time. So, you can advise us on where manipulations happen in the election process, so we can close those gaps and prevent them from happening again. We are not seeking this advice from outsiders, but from those who have been practically involved. We haven’t invited you just for discussion—we want your valuable opinions to help shape our electoral process.”
He also shared updates on voter engagement and reforms:
“We’ve noticed an increase in voter enthusiasm in remote areas during the voter list update. Previously, there was a gap of 3 million between male and female voters. We’ve reduced that significantly. We’ve also introduced a postal ballot system. We’ve developed a model—we don’t know if we’ll succeed, but we are trying. It’s an IT-supported postal ballot, a hybrid method through which expatriates, government employees, and prisoners will be able to vote.”
The dialogue was moderated by Acting EC Secretary K. M. Ali Newaz, with participation from all four Election Commissioners and other EC officials.
Election experts present included former EC officials Md. Zakaria, Khandaker Mizanur Rahman, Md. Nuruzzaman Talukder, Mihir Sarwar Morshed, Shah Alam, Mir Mohammad Shahjahan, Misbah Uddin Ahmed, Md. Shahedunnabi Chowdhury, and Mahfuza Akter, as well as Monira Khan, President of election monitoring organization FEMA.
