EC will eliminate muscle power, black money from politics at any cost
1.22 core false voters to be dropped from previous list, Sakhawat Hussein says in Barisal
EC M Sakhawat Hussein
Election Commissioner Brig Gen (rtd.) M Sakhawat Hussein yesterday said categorically that the EC is working to hold an 'absolutely free, fair and credible election, not to serve the interest of any class or group'. “Our intention and desire is clear. We have not taken the responsibility to serve or supervise any purpose of any interest-seeking class or group”, he said. “The nation knows in what situation and condition we took the responsibility of election commission”. “We are doing our job smoothly and would be successful in achieving the target with assistance of our patriotic defence forces. We have a clear-cut aim and have no ill motive”, the EC said while addressing a view-exchange meeting held at Barisal Auditorium. The two-hour meeting was attended by officials, elite of the city and professionals. Without seeking any help from donors, the EC has already got 20 million US dollars as foreign assistance and more 40 million US dollars have been promised. “There is no ghost on our shoulder. We would maintain impartiality at any cost and allow no one to shoot keeping the gun on our shoulders”, the EC said. Brig Gen (rtd.) M Sakhawat Hussein said the present situation in the country was created by those political leaders who, without any record of dedicated political activity, became leaders of parties by purchasing nomination in exchange of black money. The Election Commission is not interested to control politics and political parties, he said. “But we are determined to eliminate nomination business, muscle power and black money from politics at any cost”, he asserted. Sakhawat said political parties earlier had no accountability and transparency. “We are trying to make them accountable to people and their activities transparent before the nation. “So political parties have to be registered under the proposed guideline and framework of the Election Commission. Audited reports of income and expenditure of political parties should be maintained and submitted to authorities concerned, he said. The election commissioner reiterated that the national election will be held by 2008 and 'every body--from fishermen and untouchables to the elite-would be included in the voter list and national identity cards would be prepared on the basis of this principle'. The national ID cards would be useful in at least 19 types of services. There will not be any wall writing, gate construction or showdown in next elections, the EC said. The 1.22 core false voters included in previous voter list would be excluded and after preparing the new voter list, election of city corporations would be held first, he added. The meeting was presided over by Barisal Deputy Commissioner Manjure Elahi and addressed by, among others, Mayor-in-Charge Delwar Hussein Dilu and district joint forces commander Lt. Col. Abu Sayeed Muhammad Ali. About 1000 people from all walks of life attended the meeting. EC Sakhawat answered a lot of questions from the audience. He also attended another view-exchange meeting attended by officials of upazila, district and divisional administrations, officials of law enforcement agencies, election officials and enumerators, held at Barisal Circuit House on Sunday.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments