CEC Admits: “Even I Don’t Know the Election Date Yet”

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin stated that he will no longer discuss the date of the upcoming national election. “I’ve already said it once this morning, and I’ll say it again—I don’t know the election date myself,” he remarked, adding that the full schedule will be disclosed two months ahead of time, as per protocol.

The CEC made these comments on Tuesday (8 July) during the ‘Fruit Festival’ hosted by the Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy (RFED) at the Election Commission building in Agargaon, Dhaka.

He reassured the press that all details—including the date of polling and the deadline for nomination submissions—will be communicated in due course. “Please be patient. Preparations are ongoing, and you’re all aware of that,” he said.

Addressing concerns over institutional credibility, Nasir Uddin noted, “The public image of our administrative and law enforcement bodies has suffered significant damage. This election presents an opportunity to restore that image. I sincerely urge all officials involved to strive to regain public trust and dignity.”

He continued: “We must prove—just as we did in 1991, 1996, and 2001—that we are capable of holding free, fair, and credible elections. The government officials and law enforcement agencies can deliver, provided there is genuine sincerity and commitment. That is the message I wish to send to my colleagues through you.”

The CEC also addressed journalists directly, asking for their support: “You, too, are our partners in this journey. Please help us convey the message that we are seriously preparing to ensure a fair, acceptable, and credible election. Unfortunately, it’s become a tendency to ignore positive headlines while negative ones attract more attention. But we are planning to involve the media in our public awareness campaigns, and we hope—God willing—that we will succeed in implementing them.”

The event was presided over by RFED President Kazi Zebel, with General Secretary Golam Rabbani serving as moderator.