Democracy can not be firmly rooted and people's welfare ensured if 'clean' candidates are not nominated and use of black money and muscle power can not be eliminated. This is now a demand of the people, they said.

The workshop on Democracy and Development, organised by the district unit of Campaign for Good Governance, and NGO, was held at Satkhira Press Club auditorium with its president AKM Anisur Rahman in the chair. It was addressed by, among others Prof. Abu Ahmed, Kamrul Islam Farooque, Kazi Riaz, Madhab Dutta, Habibur Rahman and Yarab Hossain.

Demanding compulsory registration of political parties, they said only a transparent and fair political process can curb corruption and use of money and muscle power, which are the main obstacles to development.

They said there is no alternative bringing good people in politics to change the lot of people.

They said that members of the civil Society will now think before voting if they do not find acceptable candidates in the next polls. They also urged the civil society to launch a campaign to create awareness among people so that parties are compelled to nominate honest and efficient people.