Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has said that preparations for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election are well underway, with significant progress already made to ensure a credible vote.

Speaking on Sunday at a dialogue with intellectuals and civil society representatives, the CEC highlighted key steps taken so far, including the completion of the nationwide voter list through door-to-door verification and efforts to reduce the gender gap among voters. 

He also said that nine electoral laws are in the process of being amended.

“We have advanced in many areas necessary for holding free and fair elections,” Nasir Uddin said, adding that the commission had conducted extensive trials before introducing IT-supported postal ballots. 

“Around one million people are engaged in election duty and traditionally cannot vote. This time we are making arrangements so that all of them, including those in custody, can exercise their franchise. We are committed to holding fair, transparent, and credible elections,” he added.

The CEC said the commission had also benefited from discussions held by the Reform Commission, with Sunday’s dialogue helping to address remaining gaps.

Election commissioners, the EC’s senior secretary, and other officials attended the meeting, alongside 12 representatives from academia, civil society, and professional groups. Among them were former caretaker government adviser Rasheda K. Chowdhury, Jahangirnagar University professor Al Mahmud Hasanuzzaman, former ambassador Humayun Kabir, Chittagong University vice-chancellor Professor Muhammad Yahya Akhtar, security analyst Md. Mahfuzur Rahman, Professor Abdul Wazed, BGMEA director Rashid Ahmed Hosaini, poet Mohon Raihan, Police Reform Commission’s Mohammad Harun Chowdhury, student representative Zarif Rahman, Professor Robayet Ferdous, and TIB director Mohammad Badiuzzaman.

The commission plans further dialogues in October with political parties, journalists, election experts, observers, women leaders, and freedom fighters.

SMS/