Despite some positive steps taken recently by the Election Commission (EC), it is still not clear to voters whether arrangements have been made for free, fair and transparent holding of the upcoming 11th national election, speakers said at a seminar on Tuesday.
There is still time for the commission to ensure level-playing field for all political parties through enforcing its constitutional power to hold a credible election, they observed.
Besides, the contesting parties should give special focus on technologically-advanced young voters because they can bring big difference in results of the next parliamentary polls, they opined.
The seminar titled 'Can People Vote Freely?' organised by Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) was held at BIISS Auditorium in the city's Old Elephant Road.
Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Sujan) general secretary Badiul Alam Majumder presented the keynote paper at the event moderated by CGS executive director Zillur Rahman.
Speaking at the programme, former Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain said the pre-election environment tells how the next election will be held.
"Although only few days are left for the election, questions still centre around people's mind whether the polls will be held or they will be able to vote," he said.
The commission has to do a lot to gain trust of all political parties, he said, adding:"But the EC's recent role in giving back candidacy to many of the nomination aspirants following appeals, whose nominations were primarily rejected by returning officers, is worth-praising."
However, the election expert said there might still be anomalies in the nomination scrutiny process because it is humanly not possible to scrutinise 543 cancelled nomination forms in only three days.
Mentioning higher presence of female voters as an indication of better election environment, Mr Sakhawat said, "As per my calculation, in the upcoming national polls, female voters might get discouraged to go to the polling stations for multi-dimensional reasons."
The former election commissioner also said if anyone or any party steps down from the election before it ends, the individual or the party will lose all rights to protest, going to the court or filing complains to the EC about the election.
Jatiya Nirbachan Parjabekkhan Parishad (JANIPOP) chairman Dr ?Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah said political parties and other stakeholders should act responsibly after allocation of poll symbols to avoid any unwanted situation.
If any unrest ensues before the election, the voters, especially of the young cluster, will not go for voting spontaneously, he added.
He also said only making allegations will not bring any good to the polls rather discussions should be the option to find solution.
Mr Majumder said the election is knocking at the door but a favourable environment to hold fair, impartial and credible polls is largely absent.
He also said, "Biased behaviour of the administration and law enforcement agencies has been creating mountainous obstruction towards arranging a fair election."
If the EC can't gain trust of the voters and all political parties soon, another controversial election will be held on December 30, he feared.
Mentioning that 22 per cent of the voters are young, the Sujan secretary said it will be a matter of worry if the youths get disappointed again, as they might go to the path that nobody wants.
Stating that many say there is no rule of law in the country, Awami League advisory council member Yusuf Hossain Humayun said, "Then how the court gives divided order on the writ petitions filed by Khaleda to contest next election."
The government wants to hold a credible election but some people are trying to prevent it like 2014, he added.
Chaired by CGS chairman Professor Dr M Ataur Rahman, the programme was also addressed by former state minister Abul Hasan Chowdhury, former high commissioner AH Mofazzal Karim, Jatiya Party (JP-Manju) general secretary Sheikh Shahidul Islam, Jahangirnagar University Professor Shahab Enam Khan and columnist Syed Abul Maksud, among others.
© 2024 - All Rights with The Financial Express
