No foul play in Rangpur city polls
Shushashoner Jannoy Nagorik (SHUJAN), a civil society platform, yesterday said the government did not influence the recently held Rangpur City Corporation polls.
It is not possible to hold a free and fair election without cooperation of the government and other stakeholders no matter how strong the election commission is, they added.
The organisation came up with the observations at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU) to present its views on the Rangpur city election.
SHUJAN Secretary Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar said Rangpur election can be considered as an example of free, fair and peaceful election. "It was not seen that the ruling party tried to win the election at any cost. Comparing to other city corporation polls, Rangpur city election was a successful one.”
Writer and researcher Syed Abul Maksud, also executive member of SHUJAN, said, “It would be wrong if anyone considers Rangpur election result as an early indication of national election. This election does not represent Awami League, BNP and Jatiya Party's position. Election Commission's acceptability would not be measured through this election.”
Shujan Coordinator Dilip Kumar Sarkar presented a written statement detailing the profiles of the elected representatives.
In the written statement, he said, “No matter how powerful the election commission is, it is not possible for the commission to hold fair and peaceful elections without any support from the government, political parties, candidates, polling officials and law enforcement agencies.”
Jatiya Party (Ershad) mayoral candidate Mostafizar Rahman Mostafa won the Rangpur City Corporation election defeating Awami League and BNP contestants by a big margin.
SHUJAN Vice President Kazi Ebadul Haque chaired the programme while its executive member Hamida Hossain also spoke.
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