Past experience shows that fair elections are not possible in the country under a party government, several eminent citizens have said.
The extent to which the EC will be able to exercise the powers vested in it by the constitution and the law will largely depend on the elected government. An election-time government that has no interest in the outcome of the vote must be ensured, they said.
The citizens made the remarks during the second round of their talks with the Election Commission to discuss its future activities. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal led the talks.
A total of 17 out of the 39 invited guests attended the dialogue yesterday. The EC had decided to invite more participants this time as just 13 out of the 30 invited guests attended the first dialogue on March 13.
The eminent citizens yesterday suggested avoiding the use of electronic voting machines without the consent of all political parties and ensuring the safety of voters, especially women and minorities, in order to ensure that elections are free and fair.
They also urged the EC to work without fear and propose any changes to the law or the constitution that are necessary for fair elections.
Following the talks, CEC Kazi Habibul Awal said it was possible to hold an election that was 100% successful.
“Some of the eminent citizens have said that if it is 50-60% acceptable, then it is also a big success,” he said.
The CEC also said the country's election had not evolved in a positive way.
"Violence is rampant. If this happens, then voters lose interest and can't vote. As you [ eminent citizens] said, the violence must be stopped,” he added.
"It is true that we have to have courage. Courage has to be backed by honesty. We have nothing to lose. Nothing to gain. If we can do something positive at the end of this life, in the light of your suggestions, if the election can be made free and fair with the participation of all, it can be a success,” CEC Awal further said.
He said there were poor turnouts at several previous elections for a variety of reasons, but the recently held Narayanganj City Corporation election was a success. The EC believes EVM use played a key role in making the election successful.
“Many people have spoken against EVM machines already. It should be observed whether there is any digital fraud through these machines, as many countries around the world have rejected EVMs. Why they did it should be investigated,” the CEC added.
He said it would be difficult to ensure a level playing field at polls, but the EC would try its best.
Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Fellow Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, Gonoshasthaya Kendra Founder Zafrullah Chowdhury, Transparency International Bangladesh Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman, writer and researcher Mohiuddin Ahmad, former governor of Bangladesh Bank Mohammed Farashuddin, Centre for Urban Studies Chairman Nazrul Islam, and former cabinet secretary Ali Imam Majumder attended the dialogue yesterday.
The others participants were Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum General Secretary Sanjeeb Drong, Nijera Kori Coordinator Khushi Kabir, Manusher Jonno Foundation Executive Director Shaheen Anam, former secretary Abu Alam, Leadership Studies Foundation Chairman Sinha MA Sayeed, former secretary Abdul Latif Mandal, Dhaka University (DU) Professors Robaet Ferdous and Sheikh Hafizur, CPD Fellow Prof Mustafizur Rahman, and Governance and Rights Centre President Zahurul Alam.
