Civil society members at a roundtable said a fair election would be impossible if the government did not play a neutral role during the elections.
Citizens for Good Governance (Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik, Sujan), the civil society platform for good governance, organised the roundtable titled on ‘Specific Steps for Fair Polls’ at the National Press Club on Saturday.
The participants said the country will fall into serious crisis if the national election is not held in a free and fair manner.
As the parliament will remain in force, it would be very difficult to ensure equal rights for all, if the election is held under the current system, he said.
Former election commissioner M Sakhawat Hossain said fair, neutral and credible election is impossible until changes are brought in the election culture, the administration and the election commission.
Sujan secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar said the election commission has to ensure a fair and acceptable election. A fair election is not possible until a correct voter list is prepared and constituencies are demarcated properly, he said.
Researcher and columnist Syed Abul Maksud said the election commission has to understand the challenges for arranging a participatory election.
He suggested the election commission hold dialogues with the deputy commissioners and the superintendents of police.
Why does the election commission receive returns of election expenses if it does not verify it? asked former cabinet secretary Ali Imam Majumder.
Central coordinator of Sujan Dilip Kumar Sarker presented the keynote paper.
Dilip said it is impossible for the election commission to hold a fair election if the government does not play neutral role during the period of election.
Source: Prothom Alo