Good admin a prerequisite for free, fair polls

Now questions are being raised about the caretaker government despite the fact that the system has become a part of the Constitution, he said at a publication ceremony of a book on elections of Bangladesh yesterday.

The National Election Observance Committee (NEOC), an organisation working for ensuring free and fair polls, arranged the programme at Bilia Auditorium in the city, said a press release.

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The book titled 'Bangladesher Nirbachan (1970-2001)' was edited by ASM Shamsul Arefin.

The book contains statistics about the last 10 elections, list of lawmakers and important proceedings of the Jatiya Sangsad.

According to information in the book, the BNP was more sensible than Awami League while nominating the candidates for the last elections, said Ataus Samad, editor of the weekly Ekhon.

He said the number of votes for the Jamaat did not mark any rise, but the party has set up many social and financial organisations to woo the voters.

Bazlur Rahman, editor of the Sangbad, called for negotiations to improve the political situation.

He also deplored the political culture of supporting hartal while in opposition and denouncing hartal while in power.

Motiur Rahman, editor of the Prothom Alo, said the politicians disgraced themselves by the way they change their party affiliations.

More people are now exercising their franchise and it proves that they are in favour of stability, he added.

Manav Zamin Editor Motiur Rahman Chowdhury said the book has informative value to the present and future generations in a country where the history changes with the change of regimes.

Politicians, journalists, columnists and former diplomats attended the publication ceremony presided over by NEOC Chairman Prof. Nazmul Ahsan Kolimullah.