Wasim Bin Habib yesterday talked to noted jurists and civil society members who observed that it is not possible to have a level playing field for the upcoming national election if the polls are to be held without dissolving the current parliament as announced by the prime minister.
DR KAMAL HOSSAIN
DR KAMAL HOSSAIN
The eminent jurist stressed the need for holding a national dialogue to resolve the ongoing crisis and find a way on how to hold a free and fair election.
All political parties, members of civil society, human rights organisations and professional bodies should be invited to the dialogue to give their opinions. And on the basis of their opinions, parliament should decide on how to hold the election, said Dr Kamal.
He said people want a peaceful atmosphere where there would be no violence or confrontation, and they would be able to exercise their franchise freely.
DR AKBAR ALI KHAN
DR AKBAR ALI KHAN
The former adviser to a caretaker government said the prime minister’s recent statement is a reiteration of the Awami League’s stance of holding the election under the incumbent government. He said the Election Commission should come up with a guideline on the behaviour of the lawmakers during election.
But it all will be meaningless if the main opposition party boycotts the election. And the country will witness further political unrest.
M HAFIZUDDIN KHAN
M HAFIZUDDIN KHAN
The ex-adviser to a caretaker government said the premier’s latest announcement contradicts what she had been saying for the last couple of months. She earlier said the next election would be held the way polls are held in other parliamentary democracies.
He pointed out that no parliamentary democracy in the world has held an election without dissolving parliament. There will be no level playing field if lawmakers stay in power during the polls, as they will have influence on the polls and election officials.
Hafizuddin said the premier’s latest statement indicates that the government was not willing to quit power.
BNP’s present stance indicates that it will boycott such election, and no polls without the participation of the main opposition party will be acceptable to the world. And there will be chaos in the country, he feared.
SHAHDEEN MALIK
SHAHDEEN MALIK
The renowned jurist said if the 10th parliamentary election is held without dissolving the ninth parliament, it would hardly be a free and fair election.
He said the current members of parliament will certainly have an advantage over their non-MP contestants.
“I doubt whether the opposition will participate in such election where not only the government, but also parliament is partisan at the time of the polls,” said Malik.
“It is unfortunate that we are heading towards a political unrest and possibly street violence,” he said.
M SAKHAWAT HUSSAIN
M SAKHAWAT HUSSAIN
The former election commissioner said the countries that follow Westminster system of government dissolve parliament before election.
No national election has been held in Bangladesh without dissolving parliament, he said.
The big questions will be what steps the government and the election commission will take to ensure a level playing field for everyone, and what will happen if the main opposition party boycotts the polls, he said.
Though the EC is saying that it is prepared to hold the 10th parliamentary election, the question remains what preparations it is making under the present circumstances.
The government and Election Commission must ensure a level playing field in order to hold an inclusive election, he said.
Source: The Daily Star
