September 14, 2023
DHAKA – The next general election will have to be free, fair and at the same time participatory and competitive so that people in the country and elsewhere find it credible, eminent citizens told a discussion yesterday.
Besides, the current political crisis over the coming election has to be solved immediately, they told an Election Commission [EC] workshop titled “12th National Polls: Expectations and Reality”.
If a major political party does not participate, the election will be questioned locally and internationally, former election commissioner Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain said.
“If you bring 300 parties to the election ignoring a major party, the polls will still not be deemed credible,” he said.
Referring to the deputy commissioner of Jamalpur who recently urged people to vote for the ruling party, Sakhawat said, “You [EC] should take a tough stance against such things.”
During polling, the EC should have a strong system in place to address complaints, he added.
“We have created a situation that allows many foreign countries to make comments about the polls in Bangladesh. Different states are looking at us. If we fail, we will pay for it.”
— Former cabinet secretary Ali Imam Majumdar
Former cabinet secretary Ali Imam Majumdar said the last two national elections following the abolition of the caretaker government were widely questioned.
In the 2014 election, 153 lawmakers were elected without any competition while during the 2018 election, there were allegations that votes were cast “the night before the election day”, he said.
“We are in fear about the coming election…. Will all political parties be able to take part? Will voters be able to cast their vote freely?
“We have created a situation that allows many foreign countries to make comments about the polls in Bangladesh. Different states are looking at us. If we fail, we will pay for it.”
Former ambassador Humayun Kabir said people expect an inclusive and competitive election that is free from influence of money and muscles.
Local government expert Tofail Ahmed said the ruling party had already started electioneering while police and administration officials sought votes in violation of the service rules.
Former secretary Abu Alam Shahid Khan said, “The Election Commission will have to shoulder the liability if the election is not participatory.”
But the reality is, the EC cannot hold a “good election unless the government wants it”.
Prothom Alo Joint Editor Sohrab Hassan said a major challenge facing the EC is getting the parties to take part. “The commission should urge the government to create a situation conducive for participation of all parties.”
Bhorer Kagoj Editor Shyamal Dutta said, “People have lost faith in the Election Commission over the years…. Minority communities are the worst victims of election-time violence. It is important to gain confidence within one’s own country first.”
Journalists Kazi Abdul Hannan and Mahbub Kamal observed that free and fair elections cannot be held under a partisan government.
But Jatiya Press Club President Farida Yasmin said if the EC worked with confidence and integrity, a fair election was possible even under a partisan government.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal said, “Different kinds of crises are present…. I have been saying it repeatedly. If politicians do not create a conducive environment for us, it will be difficult for us to hold elections.”
The political parties do not sit together “due to a sharp division in their stances”, he added.
Regarding expert observations that the latest amendment to the Representation of the People Order has curtailed the EC’s power, Habibul said the commission’s power had actually increased.
“Many have said the Election Commission signed a paper to make one party the winner. These are not true at all… The commission is not working to make any particular party the winner.”