Shushasoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan) has urged the Election Commission to work impartially and not favor any political party in the upcoming Dhaka mayoral race on 1st February.
Shujan Secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar made the comment at a human chain program organized by Shujan at the National Press Club in Dhaka on Wednesday.
Addressing the program, Badiul Alam said: “We are seeing that the election commission has an attitude of appeasing the ruling party. This is an ominous sign for a fair election.”
He said the election commission is working as a “Post Office.”
Saying that the commission has not been performing its constitutional responsibilities, Badiul added: “The election commission only takes action when somebody goes with a complaint.”
“We are going to hand over the responsibility of our city corporations to two mayors, 129 councilors, and 43 female representatives by voting for them on February 1. All voters should exercise their democratic right to choose the right person to run city corporations,” he said, urging all voters to show up on Election Day.
Pointing out the laminated election campaign posters and banners all over the city, he said, as the monsoon approaches there will be waterlogging if these posters and banners are not disposed of properly.
He said he fears problems because voters will vote using an electronic voting system.
“ Voters have more control over their votes if the election is held with a paper ballot,” he said.
Shujan Dhaka City Treasurer Tasbir Laskar said people do not want to see another election like the one they witnessed in December 2018.
“People should vote for those who truly care for their wellbeing,” he said.
Speakers at the human chain requested voters to show up at the polling stations on Election Day and choose the right candidate.