RCC polls example of fair, peaceful election: Sujan

Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Sujan), a civil society platform, on Sunday said the recently held Rangpur City Corporation (RCC) polls can be considered as an example of fair, impartial and peaceful election.

It also admired the role of the government, Election Commission (EC), local administration, law-enforcement agencies and media for playing their due roles to hold a fair election.

Sujan came up with the opinions at a press conference, held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) to evaluate the election process.

It also presented a comparative analysis of the elected representatives in several features, including financial status, income tax, profession and educational qualification, based on the data gathered from their affidavit submitted to EC.

Vice president of Sujan's central committee Justice Kazi Ebadul Haque, secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar and executive member Syed Abul Maksud attended the conference, among others.

Speaking on the occasion, Badiul Alam Majumdar said the RCC election was successful following cordial efforts from all the quarters concerned, including the government, political parties, local administration and law- enforcement agencies.

"Also the media and civil society remained alert during the election to ensure that the polling takes place in a free and fair manner."

"If the government remains sincere and the administration does not intervene, we may expect that the upcoming national election will also be free and fair," he added.

However, Abul Maksud said he personally believes that the success in the RCC election cannot be considered as an indication for an acceptable election in future.

"The RCC election was held at a small extent. We cannot anticipate the future elections, including the national one, to become so successful."

The RCC election's result is no way a prediction for the national election's outcome, as the national polls take place in 300 constituencies, whose result changes the country's government.

Even the poll is not a testimony of EC's capability, which conducted its routine duty only, he added.

"The capability and skill of EC cannot be justified from the RCC polls. It is to watch now, how the commission proves its efficiency in the national election."

The citizens of Rangpur elected a new mayor, 33 ward councillors and 11 women councillors for reserved posts on December 21. Mostafizar Rahman Mostafa, the Jatiya Party (Ershad) candidate, won the second RCC mayoral election by a big margin.

Sujan central coordinator Dilip Kumar Sarker presented the representatives' analysis to the reporters.

According to the analysis, annual earnings of 24 new councillors fluctuate between Tk 0.2 million and Tk 0.5 million.

Besides, 72.72 per cent of the ward councilors and the mayor are businessman by profession.

The new mayor Mostafijar Rahman earns Tk 1.012 million per year. He owns a net wealth of Tk 1.525 million.

He paid Tk 25,295 as tax in the fiscal year (FY) 2016-2017. He paid Tk 1,36,606 in FY 2011-12 as tax before the first city corporation election in Rangpur.

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