Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on Tuesday said a free, fair and credible election is possible only if the rule of law is ensured, expressing his determination to remove the stigma that the Election Commission (EC) has destroyed the country’s electoral system.

“We want to clear the allegation that the Election Commission has ruined the election system,” he said while addressing a meeting with returning officers and field-level administration officials ahead of the 13th parliamentary election and the referendum.

The CEC said failure to properly discharge their responsibilities would leave them answerable to future generations.

“There is no room for failure here,” he said.

Addressing the officials, Nasir Uddin said, “If you do not perform well, I lose my sleep. If you do not work, authority will not function. The entire system will collapse. It is your responsibility to keep the system running.”

He urged all concerned to work sincerely and responsibly, saying everyone must jointly carry out the duties entrusted to them.

“We want to prove that we too can hold a free and fair election. If the rule of law is ensured, it is possible,” the CEC said, stressing that laws must be applied equally to all.

“If you work in line with the law, rules and regulations, the Election Commission will stand by you,” he assured.