Shushasoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan), secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar has hoped that election under the current Election Commission will be free and fair.
A press conference organized by Shujan, at the National Press Club on Monday, Badiul said: “The Election Commission is a powerful organization by constitution. Rangpur City Corporation election was held in a free and fair manner under the current Election Commission.
It is the responsibility of Election Commission which has a strong lawful hand and constitutional power to conduct the upcoming general election in a free, fair manner.”
He urged everyone engaged in the process of the election to perform their duties properly and sincerely in order to present a free, fair, peaceful and acceptable election.
“A large number of aspirants from various parties have purchased nomination forms, which is a good sign. The more candidates we have in the election race the most qualified people we get for running the country. We hope 600-1000 qualified candidates out of 12 thousand who bought nomination papers from the parties will participate in polls in all 300 constituencies,” he hoped.
The scenario of 11th general election is different because this time, election is going to be held with a political government in power. There are some challenges too.
Badiul Alam highlighted three major challenges. The foremost challenge is to keep the administration or law enforcers out of any influence, as it has a risk of domination, secondly, to keep campaigning by ministers and parliament members within the electoral code of conduct and the third challenge is to maintain Election Commission’s lawful stand with ethics and bravery.
File photo of Shujan secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar Dilip Kumar Sarkar Chief Coordinator of Shujan and its vice president Dhaka Metropolitan, Camellia Chowdhury were present in the press conference.
Dilip Kumar read the written statement of Shujan. Dilip urged Election Commission, the government, political parties, ministers and MPs, election officials, law enforcers, media, candidates and supporters, conscious citizens and voters to act in accordance with law and perform their own duties.
Dilip said in the previous elections some activities of law enforcers were questionable. This time election is going to be held under a party-led government which enhanced the risk of domination. So the Election Commission should maintain maximum caution on the law-enforcers.
“Some candidates are running their campaign from the positions of minister and MPs. On the other hand, some will carry out from general positions. So it is challenging to bind them under the electoral code of conduct.” he said.
“Media and observers should be without barriers while performing their duty.” he added.
Shujan urged the Election Commission not to become questionable as happened in the recent past.
