Failure to establish voting rights will be a betrayal of the blood of the youth: New CEC

“I will establish voting rights by addressing the expectations of the youth. I will ensure no new mistakes are made because if we fail, the people will condemn us, and we cannot afford that. We have assumed this responsibility on the blood of martyrs, so the weight of our duty is immense. I will not betray their sacrifices. My commitment is to establish proper voting rights in the country,” tells new Chief Election Commissioner, AMM Nasir Uddin, in an exclusive interview with Jago News' Mofizul Sadik at his residence in New Eskaton, Dhaka, on Thursday (November 21).

Jago News:  What issues will you prioritise first after taking responsibility as Chief Election Commissioner?

AMM Nasir: My primary focus will be to establish genuine voting rights by addressing the expectations of the youth. I will not repeat past mistakes, as we cannot afford to lose people's trust. Our responsibility is monumental, as it is built on the sacrifices of martyrs. Therefore, I will never betray their blood. My commitment is to ensure that proper voting rights are established in the country.

I will work tirelessly to ensure that the nation experiences free, fair, and acceptable elections. To achieve this, I aim to garner the cooperation of all parties involved. If our intentions are genuine and our minds are free from any form of manipulation, holding a fair election is entirely possible. The nation has demonstrated that it can conduct fair elections, as seen in 1991 and 2001, when people freely voted for their preferred candidates.  

We will strive to create a conducive environment for these elections, where voting rights are upheld without any hindrance. For years, political parties have fought for this very demand, and now, we aim to fulfill it with collective effort and cooperation.

Jago News:  How do you assess the current situation?

AMM Nasir: Since I wasn't responsible in the past, I cannot comment on the previous challenges or pressures faced. However, I understand that my responsibilities now are far greater. This is a time of deprivation, and when people are deprived, their expectations grow significantly. My goal is to rise to the challenge and meet those expectations.

Jago News:  What is your assessment of EVMs?

AMM Nasir: I visited a polling station during the mayoral election, which I believe was in 2018. At that time, a man approached me and asked, "Sir, give me a vote." EVMs are a technical matter, and I didn't give much thought to their pros and cons back then. I haven't specifically studied the use of EVMs in other countries. Since I wasn't in a position of responsibility at that time, I focused on understanding the system. Additionally, the Reform Commission, led by Badiul Alam Majumder, is doing excellent work. They are facilitating our efforts and helping us move forward.

Jago News: What do you think about the participation of like-minded parties, including the Awami League, in the elections?

AMM Nasir: There is considerable debate on this issue, as you can see. However, once a decision is made, you will also see the solution. At this moment, I prefer not to comment on this matter.

Jago News: Will the friends of fascism be kept away from the elections, or will the people be given the responsibility of evaluating?

AMM Nasir: I do not wish to comment on this right now. A decision will certainly be made before the elections, and you will see the outcome then—just as I will.

Jago News: Which issues will get more importance from you?

AMM Nasir: First, it is important to understand the responsibilities at hand, and then we will proceed accordingly. Whether it’s a national election or local elections, the preparations will be similar. We must ensure an accurate voter list, which includes creating multiple lists for various elections—starting from union parishads to upazilas, mayors, and other local government elections.

Jago News: What are your thoughts on political parties and elections?

AMM Nasir: From what I gather in the media, it seems that political parties are calling for early elections. It appears they want the national elections to be held sooner. However, the Election Commission (EC) cannot manage the elections alone. There are numerous tasks involved in the process, such as creating an accurate voter list and registering new voters, especially those involved in the Gen-G movement. Various other activities will also need to be addressed. The Election Commission will do its best to prepare for the elections as quickly as possible. The Chief Adviser has made it clear that no decision will be taken without consulting the political parties. 

I have experience running three ministries, and not all officials support one particular party. Some lean towards one party, while others support another. I will first take time to understand the situation before making any assessments. Having worked with 130,000 officials and employees in the Ministry of Health, I understand the importance of collaboration and will approach this in the same way.

Jago News: How much do you know about the new Election Commissioners?

AMM Nasir: I don’t personally know them. Like you, I’ve seen them in the media. I will get to know everyone as we start working together. We will have meetings, and as I begin my work, I will assess the strengths and weaknesses, as well as any gaps. As time progresses, I will gain more experience. One key advantage is that the Election Reform Commission has already advanced much of the groundwork. They’ve laid out the framework, and now we just need to focus on where to contribute. I won’t need to start from scratch in identifying areas that need attention.

Jago News: What challenges do you think this new responsibility poses?

AMM Nasir: Establishing the right to vote for the people of this country is a significant challenge. My goal is to conduct a free, fair, and acceptable election. Over the years, many lives have been lost—people have been martyred, paralyzed, or severely injured. Some have lost their eyes, others their hands and legs. We’ve witnessed the struggles and sacrifices of countless individuals over the last 15-16 years. Many have been killed or disappeared, and we all know the pain these families have endured. Among the many demands, the right to vote has been central. People want to vote freely for their preferred candidates, in a fair environment.

In the elections of 2014, 2018, and the upcoming 2024 elections, the people were deprived of their voting rights. Those who were 18 in 2014 are now 28, but they still haven’t had the opportunity to cast their vote. This has caused immense frustration, particularly among the youth. One of the key reasons for their sacrifices is to restore this right. In the current situation, our responsibility is even greater. So much blood has been shed by our people, especially the youth. If we fail, it will mean betraying their sacrifices and their blood, and that’s something we cannot do. At this stage of life, I cannot afford to betray that trust.

Jago News: It is being said that BNP proposed you to become CEC. What is your response?

AMM Nasir: I am not sure who proposed me, nor do I know when I was sworn in. I only saw the news in the media, and that’s how I learned about it.