‘Play a more effective role’

Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan) yesterday urged the Election Commission to play a more effective role in ensuring free and fair polls, as allegations of violations of the electoral code of conduct by various candidates continue to emerge.

The civic platform said there were already allegations that the EC had given concessions to loan defaulters and dual-citizen candidates, and that fresh allegations were now surfacing against many candidates over breaches of the code.

“This is badly affecting the election environment. It is unexpected for the people,” Shujan Chief Coordinator Dilip Kumar Sarkar said at a press conference in the capital.

The event, titled “The Role of Stakeholders in Ensuring Free and Fair Elections,” was held at the Sagor-Runi Auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity.

Some candidates are being attacked with eggs and dirty water. … If these incidents are not halted immediately, the situation could spiral out of control.

Badiul Alam Majumdar, secretary of Shujan

Shujan Secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar described the EC’s stance on allowing loan defaulters and dual citizens to contest the February 12 polls as “disgraceful”. 

“Some candidates are being attacked with eggs and dirty water. The Election Commission and the government must take strong measures to stop this. If these incidents are not halted immediately, the situation could spiral out of control,” he said.

He also urged the EC to take active steps to prevent the spread of misinformation during the election.

Highlighting the necessity of elections for a functioning democratic system, Majumdar said, “Democracy means equal treatment and equal opportunity for all. Everyone should be able to speak freely and campaign independently.”

Majumdar also said that “money is playing a big role in the election”. 

He said the authorities should have formed election expenditure monitoring committees for one or more constituencies to reduce costs, prevent irregularities, and ensure control over election spending. But this was not implemented, leaving the previous system intact.

Shujan had also proposed that political parties select candidates through a secret ballot of general members, creating a panel of three from each constituency, from which the party nominee would be chosen, he said.

Majumdar noted that although the existing Representation of the People Order provides for nominations based on such panels, no political party has created panels reflecting grassroots opinion nor nominated candidates from them. “This is a clear violation of the law, and the Election Commission has taken no action,” he said.

Presenting the keynote paper, Sarkar said, “People want democracy to be institutionalised, the rule of law to be established, and good governance to prevail in all spheres of the state. There is no alternative to a free and fair election to fulfil these aspirations. Only through such an election can democratic transition truly begin.”