Staff Reporter :
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) yesterday demanded judicial probe into the reported violations during the 11th parliamentary election.
The anti-graft watchdog also voiced concern as it observed the election “questionable and debatable” due to allegations of violations of code of conduct, use of force, and death of 19 people.
In a statement issued yesterday, its Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said: “Allegations of violence, exertion of force and multifaceted violations of electoral code of conduct have made the election and its results questionable. Effective actions must be taken based on fair and impartial probe into these allegations.”
He said, “We demanded level playing grounds for all stakeholders from the beginning. Instead there were news of attacks, repression and lawsuits intended to harass the candidates and their supporters of a contending alliance as reported by the national and international media is an ominous sign for democracy.”
“Such harassment allegedly continued even on the night before and day of election. The most worrying fact is that people might lose their confidence in the system of democracy.”
He goes on saying, “The way the Chief Election Commissioner tried to shrug off the allegations that the polling agents of an alliance were embarrassing and the concern deepened whether the Commission could effectively carry out its constitutional duty.” He demanded judicial enquiry into all these allegations.
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) yesterday demanded judicial probe into the reported violations during the 11th parliamentary election.
The anti-graft watchdog also voiced concern as it observed the election “questionable and debatable” due to allegations of violations of code of conduct, use of force, and death of 19 people.
In a statement issued yesterday, its Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said: “Allegations of violence, exertion of force and multifaceted violations of electoral code of conduct have made the election and its results questionable. Effective actions must be taken based on fair and impartial probe into these allegations.”
He said, “We demanded level playing grounds for all stakeholders from the beginning. Instead there were news of attacks, repression and lawsuits intended to harass the candidates and their supporters of a contending alliance as reported by the national and international media is an ominous sign for democracy.”
“Such harassment allegedly continued even on the night before and day of election. The most worrying fact is that people might lose their confidence in the system of democracy.”
He goes on saying, “The way the Chief Election Commissioner tried to shrug off the allegations that the polling agents of an alliance were embarrassing and the concern deepened whether the Commission could effectively carry out its constitutional duty.” He demanded judicial enquiry into all these allegations.
