‘EC can’t hold fair elections without support from govt’

The government is the most important partner in the elections after the Election Commission (EC). Without support from the government, the EC cannot hold fair and free elections.

Chief of the Electoral Reform Commission Dr Badiul Alam Majudar made the comment while addressing a shadow parliament (debate) on the ‘Role of the EC, candidates, and citizens for a fair election’ organised by Debate for Democracy at the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (FDC) in the capital on Friday.

Those who committed electoral crimes in the last three elections should be punished. The EC committed the biggest crimes, he said.

About the newly-constituted election commission headed by AMM Nasir Uddin, he said, “A tree is known by its fruits. But, there is no big challenge, because, unlike last time, there is no pressure from the ruling political party, he said.

The reform commission chief said, “The role of the media is important. But in the last three elections, some media deliberately did not tell the truth, while some others were even forced not to tell the truth”.

Ensuring the participation of women voters and expatriate voters could be a challenge for the EC, Dr Majumdar added.

Citing that the election system reform is important, he said but time should be given for reform.