Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey held discussions with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Sunday at the Election Commission (EC) office to review preparations for Bangladesh’s upcoming national election.

The meeting comes amid final-phase planning for the general election, which will be held concurrently with a constitutional referendum.

EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed outlined the key areas covered during the talks, including electoral logistics, voter participation, out-of-country voting, and strategies to counter misinformation.

“The Commonwealth delegation requested an update on our progress, and we provided comprehensive briefings on all aspects of election readiness,” Akhtar said.

A significant portion of the discussion focused on tackling the growing challenge of misinformation and disinformation. Drawing from recent experiences, the Commonwealth delegation shared best practices from Ghana, particularly its use of rapid response units and partnerships with digital platforms to detect and counter fake news during elections.

In response, the EC confirmed that nationwide public awareness campaigns are already underway and will be scaled up in the coming weeks to strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.

The EC reaffirmed its commitment to transparency by welcoming international observers. The presence of observer missions, including the Commonwealth team, was noted as a vital factor in enhancing the credibility and integrity of the polls.

On security arrangements, the EC detailed its three-tier zoning system, categorizing regions across the country into Red, Yellow, and Green zones based on risk assessments. This approach aims to ensure robust safety measures for voters, polling staff, and election materials—particularly on election day.

Akhtar added that the specific scope of cooperation between the Election Commission and the Commonwealth will be finalized following internal consultations. Potential areas include technical support, capacity building, legal framework reviews, and post-election assessment.

The visit underscores the Commonwealth’s continued support for democratic governance and inclusive electoral processes among its member states.

Further updates on the election timeline and operational plans are expected as the EC moves into the final stages of preparation.