Preparations for local govt elections to begin after Eid : EC Masud

Preparations for local government elections will begin after Eid and polling will continue throughout the year, Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud said today (1 March). 

“The Election Commission (EC) has no scope for inactivity, as it must oversee numerous polls beyond the parliamentary and presidential elections,” he said while speaking as chief guest at the Best Reporting Award ceremony organised by the Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy at the Election Commission building in Agargaon, Dhaka. 

Masud said the EC  is awaiting the first session of parliament to determine whether local government elections will be held under party symbols or on a non-partisan basis. 

“In accordance with the law, the commission will remain prepared to ensure credible elections,” he added. 

He also highlighted the role of the media in strengthening the electoral process, noting that journalists constitute a key stakeholder group for the Election Commission of Bangladesh. Constitutionally, he said, the media has the right to criticise the commission’s shortcomings and highlight ways to improve its performance. 

Referring to the most recent national parliamentary election, the commissioner said it had been widely viewed as successful, while acknowledging that further improvements are always possible. 

“Everyone said the election was good, but there is no end to improvement. We want to do even better in future,” he said.

Journalists, election observers and officials involved in electoral governance and reporting attended the event.