No alternative to free, fair polls
Speakers tell Sylhet discussion
Speakers at a discussion in Sylhet yesterday said there is no alternative to a free and fair election in order to strengthen democracy.
Previous experience shows that elections under a partisan government are not accepted by all. The caretaker and non-partisan government system is still the best option, they said.
However, there should be a consensus among the major political parties including the Awami League and BNP on the method to follow in holding elections, they added.
SHUJAN organised the discussion, “The way to an impartial and meaningful election” at Sylhet City Corporation hall.
SHUJAN Secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar presented a keynote paper at the discussion, chaired by its district committee Vice President Prof Mahmudur Rahman and moderated by its Sylhet unit General Secretary Faruque Mahmud Chowdhury.
Badiul said the caretaker government system should be brought back for at least two more terms, in a changed form if required, to avert the present stalemate in the country's political arena.
An independent and strong Election Commission can be made possible if constituted with competent people, he added.
Addressing as the chief guest, Sylhet City Mayor Badar Uddin Ahmed Kamran said people always want to see a free and fair election and the mainstream political parties must ensure it to strengthen democracy.
However, people do not want a repetition of incidents like 1/11, when democracy was at stake and basic human rights were violated, he added.
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