Large-scale unopposed election matter to ponder: Indian ex-CEC

Visiting former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India Dr SY Quraishi on Monday said there is nothing wrong with any unopposed election, but it is a ‘matter of thinking’ if it happens on a large scale. “There’s nothing wrong…if a large number of MPs get elected unopposed, then, I’ll have to think about what I’ll have to do in such a situation because this sort of situation never happened in India,” he said replying to a query about large-scale uncontested election. He also said that uncontested election also happens even in India. Quraishi was addressing a seminar organised by BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) of BRAC University at the Daily Star Centre in the afternoon. Former CEC of Bangladesh Dr ATM Shamsul Huda also spoke at the seminar moderated by BIGD adviser Barrister Manzoor Hasan. Replying to another query, Dr Quraishi said the role of the Election Commission should ensure the voting of everyone. However, the boycott of election is totally democratic. None should prevent or force anyone to exercise their franchise or not, he added, according to a news agency.