Staff Reporter :
Speakers at a discussion organized by Sushashoner Janno Nagorik (Sujan) – a civic platform expressed apprehension on holding the upcoming election free and fair without army deployment. To make it free and fair, deployment of army is a must, they emphasized.
The discussants at Jatiya Press Club drew the attention of the Election Commission (EC) to take seriously media reports on past elections; which were vandalized many ways by unruly elements and were not acceptable.
They said past experience shows free and fair elections will not be possible under the prevailing political situation without deployment of army to keep the election free from ruling part’s intervention.
Executive member of Sujan and an expert on local government Dr Tofail Ahmed presented the keynote paper while Sujan President Badiul Alam Mazumder conducted the event.
Former adviser of caretaker government M Hafiz Uddin Khan said, it is too difficult to conduct a free and fair election without army deployment. So, it is high time for election commission to think over the issue.
“The Election Commission is now sleeping. It will have to wake up. We hope that it would do whatever necessary in arranging the next general election in a transparent manner,” he said. Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda on April 8, said he personally believes army deployment in upcoming election ion a must but the decision must come from the election commission. Rejecting the CEC’s observation, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said the EC has no jurisdiction to deploy army in the parliamentary election; the government will take steps in this regard if it becomes necessary. Pointing to the Awami League leader’s remarks, Hafiz said, “It’s a matter of sorrow as the Election Commission didn’t raise its voice against such statement.”
Former Election Commissioner Brigadier General, M Sakhawat Hossain said, the next general election cannot be held in a congenial atmosphere without army deployment.
“I cannot say whether the local body election will be held in free and fair manner. But I can say the national polls will not be fair except army deployment.”
Dr Tofail Ahmed said, “People have the right to exercise their franchise fearlessly in the upcoming City Corporation Elections and in the general election. It’s a civil right as well as a constitutional right and it is the duty of the government to give back the people’s rights.”
Bashad leader Khalikuzzaman, Sujon Jyotirmoy Barua, BNP’s Rumin Farhana and Bidhan Chandra Pal took part in the discussion.
