Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin said on Sunday, the previous Election Commission (EC) served rulers' interest.
Inaugurating EC training programme for updating voters' list at Election Commission Building at Agargaon in the capital he said, "Voters were deprived of their right to vote because decisions were taken to serve rulers' interests."
"We will not commit the same mistake and will restore the voting right of 18 crore people," he said.
"Our commitment is to deliver a free, fair, and credible election," Nasir said.
He said, it is a transition period and the people expectation from the government and the Election Commission is enormous.
He said the Election Commission needs to be reformed.
"We are working towards that goal in line with the recommendation of the reform commission," he added.
Countrywide door-to-door data collection of new voters from January 20, needs cooperation of all, he said.
Election Commissioner Abdur Rahman El Masud stressed the importance of an accurate voter list, calling it a prerequisite for holding a free and fair election.
Commissioner Begum Tahmida Ahmad attributed failures of previous election commissions to the influence of those in power.
"Why did we fail? At the time, my explanation was, 'It was the will of the master.' The ruler demanded, 'No matter what anyone says, I want my golden deer!' So, we all chased the golden deer some succeeded, some fell behind and some didn't even participate in the race," she said.
"But now, in this changed situation, there is no master, no king. We are all kings. And our king is now our laws, regulations, and above all, our conscience. Therefore, I am hopeful that we will be able to present a fair election to the nation," she added.
