The Election Commission (EC) has identified the lack of voter confidence as the most significant challenge facing the electoral process at this time, Election Commissioner Brigadier General (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah said on Wednesday, reports The Business Standard.
"Rebuilding trust in the electoral system is essential," he said after a meeting with the Electoral Reform Commission at the Election Commission Building in the capital's Agargaon.
Discussing the meeting's agenda, the commissioner said, "We talked about how to ensure fair elections. The focus is on conducting a fair and credible election. We are aware of the context and the major deficiencies in the system, particularly the lack of trust, which we all recognise."
When asked about the primary challenge to fair elections, he replied, "The biggest issue is the lack of trust in the electoral system, and restoring that trust is our priority."
Regarding how to restore trust, he said, "It's a complex process and cannot be summarised in one statement."
When asked if the meeting addressed the timing of the upcoming elections, he clarified, "There was no discussion on when the elections should be held. The focus was on how to conduct them effectively and ensure they are credible."
He further said, "We decided to exchange information and hope to hold more meetings for detailed discussions. This will help us refine our approach and share more specific insights, drawing on past experiences."
When questioned about whether the commission is creating a roadmap for its work, he responded, "There was no such discussion in today's meeting. Our goal remains the same: to hold a fair and credible election, whenever and however it may be possible."
Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan
