Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on Tuesday clarified that no discussion took place regarding the date of the upcoming national election during his recent meeting with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, although they did talk extensively about the Election Commission’s preparedness.

Speaking to reporters at his office in Dhaka, the CEC said, “There was no conversation on the election date. You will know the date and schedule from the Election Commission when the time comes.”

He said the Chief Adviser inquired about the Commission’s readiness to organise a free, fair, and credible election. “Our wavelength matched. The Chief Adviser is very sincere about ensuring a democratic transition and holding a neutral and credible election,” he added.

The CEC described the Election Commission as being in “full gear,” working through various challenges to prepare for the national polls. He emphasised that the meeting last Thursday was essentially a courtesy call—his first formal interaction with the Chief Adviser since taking office.

Asked who initiated the meeting, Nasir Uddin replied, “Since assuming office, I had not had any formal meeting with him. This was the first.”

Responding to speculation over his two-day absence from office, the CEC confirmed he had been admitted to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) from Friday due to illness. “Some said I was resigning, others said I was sick—it was all based on assumptions,” he remarked.

Addressing criticisms that the CEC should not meet the head of government to maintain neutrality, Nasir Uddin countered, “The Chief Adviser is neutral, and so am I. During political governments, the CEC does not directly communicate with the head of government, but this is a non-partisan caretaker administration.”

On preparations, the CEC made clear the Commission’s current priority. “Right now, we are preparing for the national election. The Chief Adviser has not discussed local elections; his commitment, both at home and abroad, is to hold the national polls, and we are preparing accordingly.”

In response to the National Citizen Party’s (NCP) demand for the Election Commission to be reconstituted, he said, “I don’t want to comment. Political parties have the right to voice their opinions.”

When asked whether any tentative timelines for the election were discussed, the CEC reiterated, “No, there was no such discussion. We are getting ready so that we can hold the election as soon as the government decides.”

He added that previous discussions abroad had mentioned February as a possible timeline, and before that, April was cited. “We are preparing with both those timeframes in mind,” he said.

Asked to comment on the fact that two former Chief Election Commissioners are currently behind bars, Nasir Uddin declined, stating, “It’s a sub-judice matter, and I do not want to comment.”