Election Commissioner Brigadier General (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah on Wednesday said the Election Commission (EC) is committed to steering Bangladesh’s electoral system in the right direction through continuous reforms and is working tirelessly to achieve that goal.

He made the remarks while inaugurating the project titled ‘Citizen Observation for Inclusive and Accountable Elections in Bangladesh: 2026 National Elections’, undertaken by the Alliance for Fair Elections and Democracy (AFED), a platform of 27 civil society organisations.

Sanaullah said that if the EC can implement minimum reforms and create momentum, it would mark a significant first step. “Then, with each successive election, the electoral process will continue to improve,” he said, adding that the commission is striving to meet public expectations.

Acknowledging challenges, the commissioner said there remains a wide gap between public expectations and reality. “Unfortunately, this gap exists. But within this reality, we must coordinate expectations with facts to organise a fair election,” he said.

He noted that several new provisions, legal amendments and rule reforms have been introduced for the upcoming election, stressing that the EC is working to establish a proper and credible electoral system through these changes.

“If all the new elements introduced for the first time are implemented properly, the upcoming election can become a role model for the future,” Sanaullah said.

He also admitted that the EC has certain limitations, describing them as natural, but emphasised that they must remain within acceptable limits.

Calling election observers a vital part of the democratic process, Sanaullah urged them to carry out their responsibilities objectively. “You help us identify what is going wrong and where our limitations lie, giving us the opportunity to correct mistakes and improve further,” he said.

He assured observers that the EC would provide all necessary assistance and that there would be no compromise on fundamental electoral principles.
The event was held at the NGO Affairs Bureau conference hall in the capital. AFED organised the programme with support from the European Union and the European Partnership for Democracy (EPD).