Staff Correspondent

Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah, the newly appointed election commissioner has emphasised the need for a free and fair election, saying that there is no alternative to it.

However, he feels it is not the right time to discuss specific electoral plans yet.

He made the remarks during his interaction with journalists at the Election Commission Secretariat in the capital’s Agargaon on Monday, following an internal meeting with officials.

The interim government came to power after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government amid a mass uprising across the country.

Since then, various political parties have been demanding for a swift transfer of authority to an elected government through early polls.

When asked whether it was possible to hold early elections in light of the demands, Sanaullah said: “We are going through a political process. I am sure that you may have heard the statement of the chief advisor that the aim of this government is to hold elections as soon as possible.” “However, the reform works that they have undertaken are ongoing....So the ongoing reform process, and with all the work that we have in hand – the speed may be relative. We will talk about the elections at an appropriate time. I think it is not the time hasn’t come to talk about this.”

He added: “Expectations of the nation, what we want in the future, integrity, honesty, accountability – all of these were discussed in the meeting. Our want is very simple – we want a beautiful election.”

On Nov 21, President Mohammed Shahabuddin formed a new five-strong Election Commission led by AMM Nasir Uddin.

On Sunday, Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed administered the oath to the chief election commissioner, along with the four commissioners.

The other new members of the electoral watchdog are Md Anwarul Islam Sarker, a retired additional secretary, Abdur Rahmanel Masud, a district and sessions judge, and Tahmida Ahmad, a retired joint secretary.

Addressing the challenges ahead, Sanaullah framed the task as an opportunity.

“I consider this an opportunity because the nation is at a turning point. Where we have no other option but to hold a good election. And we are the people whom Allah has appointed and sent here. We are confident that we will be able to live up to the expectations. This is why we are committed.”