Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah on Wednesday said that the upcoming national election, scheduled for early February 2026, will set the tone for a democratic path of which Bangladesh envisions.

Speaking at the inaugural session of a daylong journalist training program in Dhaka’s Agargaon, Sanaullah emphasized the crucial role of journalists in ensuring a credible election.

He noted that the country’s election system was severely damaged under Hasina-led Awami League government and that Election Commission (EC) is working to repair it.

“However, implementing these reforms is not possible by the Commission alone. Everyone must conscientiously perform their responsibilities for the nation’s sake,” he said.

Sanaullah also announced new measures to ensure election integrity, including a QR-code scanning system to prevent fake journalists from gaining access to polling areas.

He added that there is no plan to increase the number of polling centers and that, on average, each voter will take three minutes and 52 seconds to cast their vote.

Highlighting the significance of both the election and the upcoming referendum, EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said the commission aims to deliver a “century’s best vote” for the people.

He explained that while citizens may not agree with every political manifesto during campaigning, they should evaluate the overall package before voting.

“The referendum should also be approached in the same way, considering the full context before casting your vote,” Ahmed added.

The EC stressed that the forthcoming election and referendum are complementary exercises that will shape Bangladesh’s democratic trajectory and set a precedent for the country’s future governance.