Look into 'game of money'
The Election Commission (EC) must scrutinise the candidates' return of election expenses comparing with their pre-election budget, political analysts said at a roundtable yesterday.
They alleged that candidates had spent crores of taka in the previous elections, but their return of election expenses submitted to the EC did not reflect it. Amount cited in the return statements was almost similar to what they submitted as pre-election budget, said the analysts.
This practice has largely turned the country's electoral system into a "game of money", they added.
Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Sujan), a civil society platform working for good governance, organised the roundtable on “Shustho Nirbachoner Jonno Shusposhto Koronio” [Specific tasks for a credible election] at the capital's Jatiya Press Club.
The speakers said the EC has to verify the candidates' affidavit forms properly for a credible election.
They urged the EC to remove differences between men and women voters as the number of female voters at present is 26 percent less than the male ones. They further stressed the need for proper demarcation of constituencies before the next national polls.
Former cabinet secretary Ali Imam Majumder said past references suggest that the EC did not scrutinise the return of election expenses.
“If they do not scrutinise the statements, then why do they ask for submission?” he questioned.
Former election commissioner Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain said holding a fair, neutral and credible election is barely possible without changes in the political culture.
He said changes have to be made in issues like politicisation of administration and security.
Tk 333 crore was spent on security purposes during the last parliamentary election, which was unbelievable, he said.
Moderating the roundtable, Sujan Secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar said, “If the EC decides to check candidates' wealth statement affidavits, many applicants will refrain from participating in the election.”
The country will fall into deep crisis if the next parliamentary election is not held in a fair manner, he said, adding, the EC must ensure a fair and credible election and the government has to help the EC in this regard.
Columnist Syed Abul Maksud said alongside holding dialogue with civil society, media and political parties, the EC has to hold talks with police and deputy commissioners of the districts.
It has a lot of tasks to do for holding the upcoming parliamentary election peacefully, he said, adding, “We hope the EC will overcome the challenges successfully.”
Reading out a keynote paper, Sujan Central Coordinator Dilip Kumar Sarker recommended that the EC should include five more points with existing eight in the affidavit form.
Those are: a candidate's age, his/her foreign nationality, details of the candidate's income source, details of those dependent on the candidate, and whether the candidate has business link with the government.
Chaired by former caretaker government adviser M Hafizuddin Khan, the roundtable was also addressed by former state minister for foreign affairs Abul Hasan.
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