Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader and Standing Committee member Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan has said that his party has held discussions with the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) to ensure that controversial or politically biased officials from the administration are not involved in the upcoming national parliamentary elections.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with the CEC at the Election Commission headquarters in Agargaon, Dr. Khan said the Commission has assured them that it remains alert to the issue.

“Over the past 15 years, the administration has been systematically shaped to serve the interests of one political party,” Moyeen Khan remarked.

“As a result, the people of Bangladesh have suffered through three successive elections that were nothing short of mockeries. The Election Commission must now remain vigilant so that no disputed or questionable officials are engaged in the election process.”

He added that the Commission must establish a transparent and credible process capable of restoring public confidence in the country’s electoral system.

Responding to a question from journalists, Moyeen Khan acknowledged that it would not be practical to remove all existing administrative officials from election duties.

“Rather than excluding everyone, those who may have acted unjustly in the past out of fear or pressure should now be encouraged to perform their duties properly in a democratic environment,” he said.

“I believe the people of Bangladesh are inherently democratic. Once they realize the election will be free and fair, it will turn into a national celebration.”

Dr. Moyeen Khan emphasized that the BNP’s engagement with the Election Commission is not driven by party or personal interests but by national interest.

“After 17 years of struggle to restore democracy—especially following the mass uprising of August 5, 2024—we want to see 180 million citizens living in a truly democratic atmosphere,” he said. “We want journalists to speak freely, and 120 million voters to exercise their right to vote without fear.”

The BNP leader urged the Election Commission to set an example that would convince both the Bangladeshi public and the international community that the country is moving forward on the path of democracy.

 He noted that holding a free and fair election remains the Election Commission’s greatest responsibility. However, with limited manpower, the Commission must depend heavily on administrative staff, police, judicial officers, and law enforcement agencies to manage nearly 42,000 polling centers and 300,000 booths, requiring around one million personnel nationwide.

“The biggest question now,” Dr. Moyeen Khan concluded, “is whether this vast structure can function impartially.”

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