Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan) has described as innuendo the remarks by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Nurul Huda about the organization's secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar.
Shujan organized a virtual press conference on Saturday, titled "Protest against CEC Nurul Huda's False Allegations", where the organization's work was defended.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, lawyer and environmentalist of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (Bela), read out the rejoinder at the press conference.
In the rejoinder, several previous references to evidence and worklog were shared as proof of the lies uttered by the CEC.
She said: “We are expressing our objection to the innuendo that was made that Shujan and Badiul Alam Majumdar do nothing other than press briefings. We also think that it is the responsibility of every citizen and organization to uphold the truth through a press conference.”
Eminent human rights activist Dr Shahdeen Malik said: “It is easy to attack the critic when there are no answers regarding criticism. I was astonished when I saw such an eminent citizen being attacked for his observation, remarks, criticism and work.
“Here the person shouldn't be attacked through bypassing the criticism. It is also not acceptable to have such comments from a person who holds the position of chief election commissioner against such an eminent citizen,” he added.
Retired Judge of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court Justice M A Matin said: “If these sorts of things happen continuously then there will be no people like Badiul Alam to protest irregularities in the future. So we have to come forward in our national interest.”
In such fields, the number of people who have worked voluntarily and selflessly has substantially declined, noted Tofail Ahmed, local government expert.
“Shujan had worked in the Comilla and Narayanganj City Corporation Elections at the request of the Election Commission. Those who are working relentlessly and selflessly in this sector are doing so amid a lot of risks and challenges. So they deserve support and a sensitive approach from people and society”, he added.
He also mentioned that Shujan had always been on the frontline for reporters to get information about elections and their transparency.
Badiul Alam Majumdar said: "Our election system has been destroyed under the leadership of Nurul Huda. The election commission holds immense powers. It has the power to do anything in order to conduct a fair election.”
“The election commission can investigate if there are complaints of irregularities regarding elections. If the complaints are proved to be credible, the election commission can revoke the election. However, it has not done it. It is such an unfortunate situation that such a person was appointed the chief of the election commission,” he added.
