‘People losing interest in politics, parties’

Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader yesterday alleged that different parties are losing supporters due to pressure from the government and administration.

"The people of the country are also losing interest in voting due to that. A multi-party democracy cannot evolve in this situation," said GM Quader, also deputy leader of the opposition.

He said this while speaking at a programme at the JP chairman's office at the capital's Banani.

The JP chief said depoliticisation can never be good for the country and its people. If the government exercises power in parallel with the Election Commission, the EC will never be able to function properly. Therefore, there is no alternative to enact law to form the EC, he said.

Quader said depoliticisation is going on in politics. If that continues, political parties will remain just in names only.

"If the candidates of the opposition camps are not given space in the elections, the political parties will become non-existent."

He said according to the constitution and in a democratic state, people's representatives will be elected through elections and the government will change through elections.

GM Quader said the caretaker government system is not a complete solution for holding a free, fair and credible elections.

"Therefore, in order to find a permanent solution, it is necessary to enact a law to form the Election Commission in light of the constitution."

According to the constitution, all the government departments will be under the EC. If the EC is formed with neutral people, the people's right to vote will be ensured, he added.