In any democratic country free and fair election is a must to ensuring overall development. Unfortunately, in our country, till now we have failed to devise an effective and efficient electoral procedure. This is true that to ensure free and fair election we have introduced the concept of caretaker government which is unique in the world. Still there are many loopholes around. These, in turn, affect the outcomes of the election. Evidences suggest that most of the representatives we send to the parliament are dishonest, corrupt and less knowledgeable persons with little future vision. So, our election system must be reengineered for its better performance. In this context, the following flaws of the present election system can be outlined:

1. The present election system keeps away the honest people from contesting. At present, for contesting the parliamentary election most of the candidates spend Taka 50 lac to 1 crore to influence the poor voters. Though election commission, prior to each election, fixes the maximum amount of money to be spent by a candidate but in reality this is only on paper. It may be noted that most of the honest persons are poor in terms of financial ability. Then how can an honest person dare to contest in the election? Again, the honest persons have no link with the musclemen. But in our election musclemen play a vital role for their godfather-candidate in the election.

2. There is no democratic practice within the internal structure of the major political parties. In most cases central leaders of party in autocratic ways nominate the local party candidates. In many cases, candidates buy the nomination from political parties. Due to lack of democratic practice within the party, honest and efficient people are not being promoted to their deserved positions.

3. The partisan role played by the government machinery are also observed in the election process of our country. In most cases returning officers, polling officers etc. either directly or indirectly work for some particular candidate(s). In many cases law-enforcing agency fails to show its impartial role. Moreover, till now we have no 'independent' election commission. In most cases election commissioners are loyal to some political parties. Then how is it possible on part of election commission to conduct a free and fair election?

4. Faulty voter list is one of the barriers to hold a free and fair election. At present the apparently partisan election commission is intentionally trying to implement a fabricated voter list allegedly excluding the minority voters in the country. It has been also heard that the latest voter list has included the names of Rohinga refugee groups in hill tracts. Presumably this will have a serious consequence on the outcome of the next election.

No doubt, above problems have solutions. The civil society should come forward to provide the nation with appropriate solutions in this regard. Hopefully, the civil society will direct us to the right path to ensuring free and fair election.

Md Anwarul Kabir is Faculty Member Department of Computer Science American International University-Bangladesh.