Fair counting of votes, neutral officials, and security are essential for an inclusive election

 

With the 11th general election edging closer, tension is mounting throughout the country.

 

In order to ensure that the polls are held in a free and fair manner amidst this tension, the Election Commission needs to consider several factors, political leaders and experts said at a seminar.

 

The fair counting of ballots, appointment of neutral election of officials, and security are essential for ensuring an inclusive and acceptable election. The real test for the Election Commission will be how they handle these issues, the speakers added.

 

The seminar titled “Can People Vote Freely?” was organized by the Centre for Governance Studies at the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) auditorium in Dhaka on Tuesday.

 

Former election commissioner Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain, BNP Joint Secretary General Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, former president of FBCCI Mir Nasir Hossain, Dhaka University (DU) Professor Asif Nazrul, former state minister Abul Hasan Chowdhury, former secretary general of Jatiya Party Sheikh Shahidul Islam, and Awami League Advisory Committee member Yusuf Hossain Humayun addressed the seminar.

 

Shusashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan) Secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar presented the keynote paper.

 

Stressing the need for maintaining transparency in the counting of votes, former election commissioner Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain said the accurate counting of ballots is a key factor in ensuring that the election results are not questionable.

 

He also urged political parties not to boycott the polls.

 

“Pulling out from the election will deprive political parties and candidates of justice, even if irregularities take place during voting,” he warned, as any one boycotting an election cannot file complaints with the Election Commission or courts.

 

Admitting to a decline in the number of female voters, he said the presence of female voters at polling centres will indicate how peaceful the election will be.

 

Describing the atmosphere ahead of the election as “not satisfactory,” BNP Joint Secretary General Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal said it is still not clear how participatory the election will be.

 

He urged the authorities concerned to remain alert, so that no false votes may be cast.

 

The BNP leader also criticized the government for blocking 58 news portals on Monday and another 54 on Tuesday.

 

“It still remains a question whether the election will be a fair with so many barriers. The media are trying hard to run real stories, despite pressure from different quarters,” he said.

 

Mir Nasir Hossain, former president of FBCCI, said only time will tell whether the election will be fair or not.

 

“The real test for the Election Commission will come during the polls,” he added.

 

Dhaka University Prof Asif Nazrul said equal participation, the right to vote freely, and security for voters as well as opposition leaders and activists were essential for credible and inclusive polls.

 

He also claimed the Election Commission was yet to implement effective measures to address these issues.

 

The DU professor called for the transfer of deputy commissioners who are considered to be suspect, and said politically- biased election officials should not be recruited.

 

Former Jatiya Party secretary general Sheikh Shahidul Islam alleged that the election result had been pre determined, and that the polls would be challenging to Awami League and not BNP.

 

Hoping that the masses will exercise their right to franchise, Awami League Advisory Committee member Yusuf Hossain Humayun said there is no point to losing trust in the current electoral atmosphere.

 

He added that the Election Commission’s role has thus far been satisfactory.

 

Mentioning that the Election Commission approved army deployment during the polls despite the government’s decision to the contrary, The Awami League Advisory Committee member said winning through muscle power would not be possible in the election.

 

News Courtesy: https://www.dhakatribune.com