Special Correspondent :
Editors and senior journalists of the print media have urged the Election Commission to lay emphasis on holding an inclusive election with the participation of all registered political parties to elect members of the 11th National Parliament.
They also recommended to utilize EC’s constitutional power and full workforce to ensure the next parliamentary polls free, fair, impartial and credible one where genuine voters could cast their votes without any fear and obstruction.
The above suggestions came up in the first day meeting of the two-day pre-election talks between the print media personalities and Election Commission at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city’s Agargaon on Wednesday.
Though the EC had invited 36 journalists to attend the meeting, 26 media men took part there. Presided over by Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda, the meeting was also attended by four Commissioners and high officials of the Election Secretariat.
Meanwhile, the journalists urged the EC to determine the role of civil society and law enforcement agencies. They said if the EC wants, it could deploy members of the armed forces in the polls. Some of the journalists, however, opposed deployment of armed forces members during the election.
Most of the journalists, demanded submission of affidavits of the candidates to the media who will take part in the next polls.
After attending the meeting, Editor of Bangladesh Pratidin Naem Nizam said: “The Election Commission of Bangladesh is more powerful then the Election Commission of India. So, we have urged the EC to perform their duties perfectly. And, the EC must take steps as all political parties can take part in the polls. If the EC thinks, it is necessary to deploy army for the sake of neutral election, then it could engage the armed forces.”
On the other hand, President of National Press Club Muhammad Shafiqur Rahman was pessimistic about deployment of army, saying that it is not necessary. “There are police, RAB and other law enforcement agencies in the country who are able to ensure fair election. In our country, the army is called only during the national disaster. There were army in the 2001 election, but it did not bring any positive result at that time.”
Sources close to the EC told The New Nation last night that a number of journalists gave their suggestions to restore “No” vote. Besides, they urged the EC to ensure safety of religious minorities after the polls. Especially, they urged the EC to tackle the interference of local and international organizations in the name of “observation”.
Apart from it, the journalists also suggested to prepare a complete and accurate voter list, ensure security of women voters, engage returning officers without any political influence and keep arrangement to submit nomination papers through online.
“The EC had invited 36 journalists for the Wednesday’s meeting where 26 editors attended. Here, the EC gave importance to the renowned newspapers and personalities. The second phase of the meeting with the journalists will be held at the same place on Thursday where 37 journalists have been invited,” Acting Secretary of EC Helaluddin Ahmed said.
Helaluddin said, “The EC is arranging the series meetings with different stakeholders to get their suggestions over the next polls. The Commissioners will fix their responsibilities based on the suggestions. In fact, the main objective of the dialogue is to create an atmosphere to conduct a free, fair, credible and impartial national election.”
When he was asked about deployment of army, Helaluddin said, “It is yet not decided whether army would be deployed in the polls activities. It will be decided after holding meetings with all stakeholders, including the political parties.”
In the yesterday’s meeting, Editor of the New Age Nurul Kabir, acting Editor of Jugantor Saiful Alam, Managing Editor of Ittefaq Ashish Saikat, Executive Editor of Kaler Kantha Mostafa Kamal, Chief Editor of Manabjamin Motiur Rahman Chowdhury, Jatiya Press Club President Muhammad Shafiqur Rahman and General Secretary Farida Yasmin, BFUJ (one faction) President Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul and Secretary General Omar Faruk, BFUJ (another faction) President Mohammad Abdullah and senior journalist Mahfuzullah took part.
Besides, Associate Editor of Prathom Alo Anisul Haque and Joint Editor Sohrab Hossain, Weekly Editor Golam Murtuza, Columnist Bibhuranjan Sarkar, Senior Assistant Editor of Jugantor Mahbub Kamal, Executive Editor of Sangbad Khandaker Muniruzzaman, Acting Editor of Jai Jai Din Kazi Rukunuddin Ahmed, journalist Kazi Siraj and Anis Alamgir were present at the meeting.
Earlier, the EC met with 40 civil society personalities on July 31 where most of them demanded army deployment during the polls and restoration of the ‘no vote’ option. Demanding dissolution of Parliament before the polls, they had also urged the EC to create a level playing field in the election for all the parties.
The EC officials said the dialogue with 40 registered political parties is set to begin from August 24.
Editors and senior journalists of the print media have urged the Election Commission to lay emphasis on holding an inclusive election with the participation of all registered political parties to elect members of the 11th National Parliament.
They also recommended to utilize EC’s constitutional power and full workforce to ensure the next parliamentary polls free, fair, impartial and credible one where genuine voters could cast their votes without any fear and obstruction.
The above suggestions came up in the first day meeting of the two-day pre-election talks between the print media personalities and Election Commission at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city’s Agargaon on Wednesday.
Though the EC had invited 36 journalists to attend the meeting, 26 media men took part there. Presided over by Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda, the meeting was also attended by four Commissioners and high officials of the Election Secretariat.
Meanwhile, the journalists urged the EC to determine the role of civil society and law enforcement agencies. They said if the EC wants, it could deploy members of the armed forces in the polls. Some of the journalists, however, opposed deployment of armed forces members during the election.
Most of the journalists, demanded submission of affidavits of the candidates to the media who will take part in the next polls.
After attending the meeting, Editor of Bangladesh Pratidin Naem Nizam said: “The Election Commission of Bangladesh is more powerful then the Election Commission of India. So, we have urged the EC to perform their duties perfectly. And, the EC must take steps as all political parties can take part in the polls. If the EC thinks, it is necessary to deploy army for the sake of neutral election, then it could engage the armed forces.”
On the other hand, President of National Press Club Muhammad Shafiqur Rahman was pessimistic about deployment of army, saying that it is not necessary. “There are police, RAB and other law enforcement agencies in the country who are able to ensure fair election. In our country, the army is called only during the national disaster. There were army in the 2001 election, but it did not bring any positive result at that time.”
Sources close to the EC told The New Nation last night that a number of journalists gave their suggestions to restore “No” vote. Besides, they urged the EC to ensure safety of religious minorities after the polls. Especially, they urged the EC to tackle the interference of local and international organizations in the name of “observation”.
Apart from it, the journalists also suggested to prepare a complete and accurate voter list, ensure security of women voters, engage returning officers without any political influence and keep arrangement to submit nomination papers through online.
“The EC had invited 36 journalists for the Wednesday’s meeting where 26 editors attended. Here, the EC gave importance to the renowned newspapers and personalities. The second phase of the meeting with the journalists will be held at the same place on Thursday where 37 journalists have been invited,” Acting Secretary of EC Helaluddin Ahmed said.
Helaluddin said, “The EC is arranging the series meetings with different stakeholders to get their suggestions over the next polls. The Commissioners will fix their responsibilities based on the suggestions. In fact, the main objective of the dialogue is to create an atmosphere to conduct a free, fair, credible and impartial national election.”
When he was asked about deployment of army, Helaluddin said, “It is yet not decided whether army would be deployed in the polls activities. It will be decided after holding meetings with all stakeholders, including the political parties.”
In the yesterday’s meeting, Editor of the New Age Nurul Kabir, acting Editor of Jugantor Saiful Alam, Managing Editor of Ittefaq Ashish Saikat, Executive Editor of Kaler Kantha Mostafa Kamal, Chief Editor of Manabjamin Motiur Rahman Chowdhury, Jatiya Press Club President Muhammad Shafiqur Rahman and General Secretary Farida Yasmin, BFUJ (one faction) President Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul and Secretary General Omar Faruk, BFUJ (another faction) President Mohammad Abdullah and senior journalist Mahfuzullah took part.
Besides, Associate Editor of Prathom Alo Anisul Haque and Joint Editor Sohrab Hossain, Weekly Editor Golam Murtuza, Columnist Bibhuranjan Sarkar, Senior Assistant Editor of Jugantor Mahbub Kamal, Executive Editor of Sangbad Khandaker Muniruzzaman, Acting Editor of Jai Jai Din Kazi Rukunuddin Ahmed, journalist Kazi Siraj and Anis Alamgir were present at the meeting.
Earlier, the EC met with 40 civil society personalities on July 31 where most of them demanded army deployment during the polls and restoration of the ‘no vote’ option. Demanding dissolution of Parliament before the polls, they had also urged the EC to create a level playing field in the election for all the parties.
The EC officials said the dialogue with 40 registered political parties is set to begin from August 24.
