Independent EC a must for fair election

It also recommended that civil society members should be given the charge of election commission in stead of government officials.

The report on by-election to Gazipur-2 constituency with some recommendations for fair election was placed at a press conference at its office in the city.

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The by-polls were largely fair, impartial and free from the interference of the administration, said the report.

Executive Director of Democracywatch Taleya Rehman said, " The by-polls were peaceful except some stray incidents of irregularities."

She said the commission should be given adequate power to take any steps it needs for holding a fair and peaceful poll.

Election commission should be free from the control of the government, Taleya Rehman added.

"Gazipur by-election was obviously better than 16 previous by-polls held during the eighth Jatiya Sangsad," said Mostofa Sohel, programme manager of Democracywatch.

He said the by-polls have proved that if the government and the election commission want to hold a fair and peaceful election, they can do it.

Five mobile teams of Democracywatch observed 58 out of the total 195 centres.