'100pc fair general polls practically impossible'
Health Minister Mohammad Nasim yesterday said holding a hundred percent fair general election is practically impossible.
“It [cent percent fair election] did not happen anywhere in the world. It is a language for seminars only. It's not possible in reality,” he told a discussion at the capital's Cirdap.
Bangladesh Heritage Foundation (BHF) arranged the discussion on “Election and Level Playing Field”, where alongside politicians, university vice-chancellors, former ambassadors and political analysts spoke.
Referring to general elections of the US, Singapore and Malaysia, Nasim said questions regarding credibility of even those elections were raised in the past.
A senior leader of the ruling Awami League, Nasim said upcoming national election will be held on time, and in line with the constitution. He also blamed BNP for tarnishing the credibility of polls-time caretaker government.
Speaking there, Chairman of Trinamul BNP Nazmul Huda said the next parliamentary election has to be participatory and credible.
First step for ensuring level playing field in the next election has to be that it will not be held under any executive government, and all executive power will be handed over to the Election Commission on time, he added.
Calling for ban of Jamaat-e-Islam for its anti-Liberation War role, lawmaker Shirin Akhtar of Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal said level playing field has to be created only for those who believe in the spirit of the Liberation War.
Criticising BNP's political stance, PM's Media Adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury said the political party is more interested in blaming and tainting the election process rather than concentrating on winning the election.
Former Inspector General of Police Muhammad Nurul Huda said ensuring level playing field will be easier if institutional capacity of government organisations is strengthened.
He said with changing of the government, a section of public servants change their attitude. He urged public servants to do their duty accordingly and become true servants of the country, instead of becoming “domestic servant”.
Former ambassador and BHF Chairman Waliur Rahman expected that the EC will be able to hold the next national election peacefully, saying it is gradually improving its capability.
Former Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique, among others, spoke.
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