Although only a couple of days are left before the parliamentary election, the Election Commission's (EC) lack of preparation over the polls is still evident, speakers said at a seminar yesterday.

Such situation marked by incidents of pre-polls violence has caused fear among voters, making them doubtful of the peacefulness of election and their safety on polls day, they said.

Centre for Governance Studies, an organisation working for good governance, arranged the seminar at Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies in the capital.

Addressing the seminar, polls observer Sharmeen Murshid said the EC was giving contradictory instructions, which reflects its lack of cohesion.

“If the commission cannot be decisive on smaller issues, how would it solve problems of bigger magnitude like holding parliamentary polls?” she questioned.

The polls atmosphere was still “undisciplined”, she said, adding that congenial atmosphere for all political parties was expected but the EC in no way could ensure this.

As a limited number of polls observers will be working this time, it is the EC's responsibility to deploy additional workforce to prevent misconduct, said Sharmeen, chief executive officer of the social organisation Brotee.

Former election commissioner Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain said election was a few days away, but candidates and their electoral symbols were still changing.

Despite the EC's approval, candidacy of polls aspirants in some constituencies have been stayed, which may cause further complication, he said.

If elections in those constituencies are held with issuing gazette notifications and then the candidates get court approval, they will have to file cases seeking cancellation of the polls result, he said.

On army's role, he said armed forces personnel do what they are instructed to do. When they are called in as “aide of the civil power” they come under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and their command channel goes up to the magistrate, he said.

Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Sara Hossain said considering the violent polls atmosphere, the EC was supposed to direct law enforcement agencies to take adequate measures based on complaints.

The EC could have taken action on its own discretion as per law, without waiting for any complaint, she said.

As it did not do so, the situation created fear among voters, especially those who are young, she added.

Sara criticised the EC's decision of limiting internet access on polls day, saying such decision will deprive voters from using digital platform on the “most important day”.

Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury said EC's decision over limiting vehicular movement on polls day will discourage many from exercising their voting rights.

A key figure of the Jatiya Oikyafront, Zafrullah alleged both the ruling party and the chief election commissioner were working against the opposition alliance.

Prof Asif Nazrul of Law Department of Dhaka University said attacks on candidates have intensified in the past few days, while voters were discouraged to cast vote.

Political scientist Prof Rounaq Jahan said many youths are failing to demonstrate their “bargaining capacity” and “independent thinking” over establishing civic rights, due to their affiliation with political parties. They are acting like subordinates to political leaders. They should contribute more in building the nation, she said.

People should exercise their voting rights because it has been achieved through struggle, said political scientist Prof Ahrar Ahmad.

Bangladesh Youth Leadership Centre President Ejaj Ahmad said their survey has found that youths have positive outlook and they are hopeful about Bangladesh's future.