CEC seeks insights from ex-officials to curb repeat of electoral irregularities

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Tuesday said the Election Commission aims to draw on the experiences of former election officials to identify loopholes and prevent a recurrence of malpractices seen in past elections.

"We're not here just only to hear about how to present the nation a fair and credible election. Many of you also know the ways elections could be manipulated in the past since you worked with the EC during your long services. We want to know where we need to intervene to prevent future malpractices," he said, pointing at the former election officials.

The CEC made the remarks while addressing a discussion at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital with participation of former EC officials and election experts, as part of the Commission's ongoing series of dialogues with different stakeholders ahead of the 13th parliamentary election planned to be held in early February 2026.

He said the former officials had practical experiences as they worked in the field during the previous elections.  "Since you were involved practically here, you know better than us about where the gaps lie. We would like to seek the recommendation so that we can close the gaps. We didn't invite you just for a discussion. We want your valuable insights and suggestions so that we can plan our next election procedure more effectively," Nasir Uddin said, reports UNB.

The CEC said he took the issue of arranging a fair election as the last scope in his life to serve something for the country as his age has already crossed 73 years. "I take this as the last opportunity of my life to do something meaningful for the country. I'm over 73 now and have no personal ambition left. My only commitment is to deliver a fair, transparent, and widely accepted election but that will not be possible without everyone's cooperation," he said.

The CEC, in his concluding remarks, said the commission will ensure that polling officers would work neutrally by not allowing them to act like 'party slaves'.

"We'll ensure that polling officials will not be able to work like party slaves. Now the situation is different than before. In the past, if you do not work for someone, you will face action. Now if you work for someone, you will face action," he said.

About the appointment of polling officials, Nasir Uddin said the EC would explore the possibility of engaging most polling officials from outside the government service to avoid post-election pressure or influence. After the election, whoever comes to power may have a role in the promotion process of government officials. That's why officials from banks or other private sectors can work more freely, he said.

Regarding the officials who served during the last three parliamentary elections, the CEC said it would not be possible to exclude all of them. "There are around 10 lakh polling officials. If we try to exclude all, it'll be like combing through a blanket until nothing remains. We'll have to work with them but remain cautious," he added.

During the discussion, the experts made a series of recommendations, including  avoiding recruitment of polling officials from partisan bias institutions; recovering illegal arms, controlling black money and loan defaulters; addressing challenges like mob violence and the AI misuse; appointing multiple returning officers in large districts; and taking a strict stance on violation of the electoral code.

The other recommendations include giving magistracy power to EC officials during the election, preparation of electoral rolls with photos, verifying results before publishing gazettes for constituencies with over 80% voter turnout; ensuring quick disposal of election-related cases; reviewing and verifying election expenditure reports; appointing Ansar, police and polling officials from outside their own constituencies; taking immediate action in case of irregularities; delivering ballot papers to the stations on the morning of polling day.

Four election commissioners -- Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida Ahmad, Anwarul Islam Sarker and Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah -- were present in the dialogue conducted by EC additional secretary KM Ali Newaz.

Eight former election officials Md Zakaria, Khondaker Mizanur Rahman, Md Nuruzzaman Talukder, Mihir Sarwar Morshed, Shah Alam, Mir Mohammad Shahjahan, Misbah Uddin Ahmed, Md Shahedunnabi Chowdhury and Mahfuza Akter, and FEMA President Munira Khan attended the talks.

The EC started the series of the dialogues amid talks with academics and civil society representatives on September 28.