EC Anwar: Election officials can’t campaign for or against referendum

The Chronify

January 28, 2026

Election Commissioner Anwarul Islam Sarker says officials will only promote participation in the referendum, not take sides. He also expressed confidence that election results will be announced within the usual timeframe.

Anwarul Islam Sarker, Election Commissioner, on Tuesday said officials assigned to election duties will conduct publicity on the referendum but are legally barred from campaigning either for or against it.

“Our position on the referendum is that we are encouraging people to participate in it. However, those entrusted with election duty will not legally work in favour of or against any side,” he said while responding to reporters at his office in Nirbachan Bhaban.

He clarified that returning officers, assistant returning officers and other election officials may disseminate information related to the referendum but cannot take any partisan position.
“No returning officer or assistant returning officer is campaigning for any side. Those appointed as returning officers cannot do that,” he added.

Replying to a question on whether publishing results may take longer this time due to the counting of postal ballots alongside manual ballots for both the parliamentary election and the referendum, Anwar said the Election Commission is aiming to announce results within the expected timeframe.

“In previous elections, most unofficial results came in by midnight. This time as well, it will be similar-at most by late night or by the following day,” he said.

Responding to demands to ban the Jatiya Party from contesting the polls, the election commissioner said all registered political parties with valid nominations would participate in the election.
“We believe that all registered parties with nominations will contest the election,” he said.

On enforcement of the electoral code of conduct, Anwar said mobile courts have so far conducted drives in 128 constituencies, identifying 144 violations.
“They have fined Tk905,500 and filed 94 cases in the last 18 days since January 8,” he added.

Addressing allegations by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party that there is no level playing field, Anwar said the Election Commission has already taken steps to address their complaints.

“We have forwarded every specific complaint to the concerned returning officers and Electoral Inquiry Committees, and action will be taken in accordance with the law,” he said.

The election commissioner concluded by saying the EC believes the overall election environment is significantly better than in many previous polls.