Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on Saturday said that the next national election is likely to be held in the first half of February, as the Election Commission (EC) intensifies preparations across the country.
Talking to reporters on Saturday afternoon following a meeting with the Rangpur divisional administration, the CEC said the Commission is actively coordinating with divisional and local election officials to ensure smooth holding of the polls.
He warned that voting in any constituency will be suspended immediately if disorder breaks out at any polling centre.
“No kind of chaos will be tolerated,” he said, adding that any official accused of irregularities, corruption, or bribery will be barred from election duties.
The CEC also said that action will be taken against all presiding officers found responsible for misconduct during the previous election.
Admitting that public trust in the electoral process has eroded, he acknowledged that an encouraging voter turnout remains a significant challenge. “Restoring confidence in the system and bringing people to the polling centres is a major task ahead,” he said.
While the election schedule will not be announced yet, the CEC indicated that the date will be declared two months in advance.
Preparations are underway to hold the polls within a short timeline, he said.
Earlier in the day, the CEC held a coordination meeting with the regional election officers of Rangpur, along with district and upazila ones, at the Regional Election Office, as part of the Commission’s groundwork for the 13th parliamentary election.
MSH
