Three challenges for free, fair and credible polls
Consensus among political parties, improving the law-and-order situation and ensuring the Election Commission's neutrality are the biggest challenges for the upcoming parliamentary polls to be free, fair and credible, said speakers at an event yesterday.
"The country has been freed from fascism but a consensus for democratic transition has not been reached yet -- there is still time," said BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed at the discussion styled 'Expectations and Challenges for a Fair Election: Doable for the Government, Political Parties and Civil Society in Arranging a Successful Election'.
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He went on to express hope that political parties could reach a consensus to this end through talks ahead of the election.
Stating that the national parliament is the only legitimate body to pass any proposal regarding constitutional amendment, Salahuddin said his party, however, will agree if there is any other legitimate, lawful and constitutional avenue for this.
In the meantime, before going to parliament, the political parties could build consensus on what the constitutional amendments will be, he said at the event organised by civil society platform Nagorik Coalition.
"However, we cannot allow a precedent to be set that will be challenged in the relevant court, and remain questionable and problematic for ratification in parliament."
The ongoing reform, election, and trial have no "clear interdependency," Salahuddin said, while stressing that the trial should not be "conditional" on any specific timeframe but must be conducted by an independent judiciary.
The country has been freed from fascism but a consensus for democratic transition has not been reached yet. Salahuddin Ahmed
Political parties have to compromise over key reform issues to reach a consensus, said Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair, assistant secretary general of Jamaat-e-Islami, adding that the EC must do its duty with "hundred percent neutrality" to ensure a credible election.
The chief adviser has reiterated his commitment that the election will take place in the first half of February next year, said his Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam.
Besides, the chief adviser further warned that any derailment could have devastating consequences for the country, he said.
Key stakeholders in the government have been holding regular meetings to ensure a free, fair and credible election.
The recently held Dhaka University Central Students' Union polls was a "big test" for the students who passed it successfully with no major law-and-order situation and high turnout, Alam added.
The EC must launch its campaign for poll environment this month by forming an "observation coordination committee", said Zonayed Saki, chief coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolan.
It will not be possible to hold the election properly by taking the present law-and-order situation lightly, said Jasmine Tuli, an expert on elections.
Referring to the planned 42,000-odd polling centres and nearly 250,000 polling booths for the upcoming polls, she said it will not be possible for the Election Commission alone to monitor all the establishments.
She suggested creating teams consisting of various stakeholders including political party members, police and officials from the administration and the EC for election monitoring.
The EC and the administration must ensure a level playing field for all political parties during the election, she added.
There are concerns over the polls being peaceful given that political parties remain divided, especially over the implementation of the proposed July National Charter, said Dilip Kumar Sarkar, chief coordinator of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan).
With the election approaching, voters should create pressure on the candidates for a clear mandate about eradicating menace like corruption and unemployment, said Justice MA Matin, acting president of Shujan.
A fair and safe election is an aspiration of every citizen of the country, said Photographer and Drik founder Shahidul Alam, while urging political parties to demonstrate tolerance for a successful election.
The EC must tackle illicit financing during the polls and take preventive measures to stop rumours on social media, said Hasnat Abdullah, chief organiser for the Southern region of the National Citizen Party.
BNP Organising Secretary Shama Obaed, Islami Andolan Bangladesh Joint Secretary General Sheikh Fazle Bari Masud, Gono Odhikar Parishad General Secretary Rashed Khan and Nagorik Coalition Co-Convener AKM Fahim Mashroor spoke among others at the discussion.
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