Quader claims fairest ever UZ polls

Communications Minister Obaidul Quader on Tuesday claimed that the 4th Upazila (UZ) Parishad polls were more free, fair and neutral than any other elections in the past. "Despite a political situation marking confrontational speeches, the polls were more free, fair and neutral than any other previous elections," he said at a press conference in the city. The minister said: “It is a quite complex and difficult task to conduct and manage such polls in our country of rising democracy… even there is lack of democratic patience and tolerance in the country. There is no alternative to free, fair and acceptable polls for the sake of maintaining democracy as desired by the people. But the mentality to win the election anyhow mars the democratic beauty,” Quader said. Accepting that a few incidences of political violence took place in the UZ polls held in five phase, he said “Despite such exceptional incidents, people could freely cast their votes to elect the candidates of their choice.” Noting that political parties supported their favourites under the local government elections although it is not legal to extend any direct support to candidates in these polls, Quader said “We’ve a plan to hold the local government polls on party basis in future,” according to UNB.