A civil society platform today criticised the role of the Election
Commission ahead of the upcoming Union Parishad polls and doubted the
fairness of the election.
The commission (EC) has failed to create a level playing field for
all, alleged Badiul Alam Majumder, secretary of Sushashoner Jonno
Nagorik (Sujon) today.
Alleging EC’s inaction over complaints that candidates were facing
hindrance to file nomination, Badiul said “these incidents have raised
concerns whether the UP polls will be free and fair.”
The Union Parishad elections will be held across Bangladesh in six
phases, the first of which begins March 22. The elections will continue
until June. This is the first time the elections will be held in
partisan manner.
Sujon secretary Badiul questioned the ability and neutrality at a
press conference arranged weeks ahead of the polls at Dhaka Reporters’
Unity.
Talking to reporters after the press conference, Sujon President
Hafiz Uddin Khan claimed that no election was free and fair under the
current Election Commission since 2014.
“Although the current EC was provided with enough power, they are not
utilising it. As a result, election related problems are not being
solved,” he said.
Hafiz Uddin, also a former caretaker government advisor, urged the
government to hold a free and fair Union Parishad election without
influencing it.
