Election Commission (EC) Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on Tuesday said, results of the upcoming referendum and national elections scheduled to be held on February 12 will not be published in delay under any circumstances.
He mentioned that results will be published in phases following the conclusion of voting, and the compilation is expected to be completed by February 13.
He made these remarks during the inauguration ceremony of a Media Center established for foreign journalists in the capital.
The EC Secretary noted that while it might take some time for results to arrive from the Returning Officers, the publication process will not fall into any long-term delay. He further added that ballot papers and election equipment for all 299 constituencies have already been delivered, and the Election Commission is fully prepared for the polls.
Regarding the voter list, Akhtar Ahmed commented that organizing an election in the post-bloody July period was a significant challenge. Preparing an accurate voter list was the first and most crucial task. Due to limitations of time and opportunity, 100% accuracy was not possible. It was not easy to complete tasks such as including new voters and removing deceased ones within such a short timeframe.
Regarding young voters, he informed that those who turned 25 by October 31, 2025, have been registered as voters. He also remarked that registering new political parties was another major challenge. On the issue of mobile phone restrictions, the EC Secretary stated that the matter has been clearly defined.
Addressing disinformation, he said that while it is possible to control misinformation spread from within the country, it takes more time to manage misinformation originating from abroad. Explaining the purpose of the Media Center, he said it would work to disseminate election-related information from Bangladesh to the world. He requested journalists to provide truthful and objective news and to refrain from spreading disinformation.
Speaking at the event, Mahbuba Farzana, Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, said that the election is a massive undertaking. The election day is highly significant and requires great responsibility, and journalists have a vital role in ensuring a fair vote. The February 12 referendum and national election are not merely a political concept; they are a vital part of the nation’s future. It is the responsibility of everyone, including journalists, to prevent rumors and propaganda by upholding the truth.
Secretary informed that international observers from 19 friendly nations have arrived to monitor the election, many of whom have observed elections in Bangladesh previously.
Farzana urged both foreign and local journalists to follow the established guidelines while collecting news.
Foreign Ministry Secretary Azad Alam Siam attended as a special guest. He stated that international observers and foreign journalists would use this Media Center to present the election process objectively to the global community.
