Election Commission performing as a 'mere witness'

Blaming the Election Commission for performing the role of a “mere witness”, Gono Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain yesterday said a greater national unity has to be formed for a free and fair national election.

He was addressing a press conference -- at the party office in the capital's Arambagh area -- on the latest political situation in the country, after an extended meeting of the party's central and grassroots leaders.

Dr Kamal Hossain said his party will work for national unity and a participatory election.

Criticising the ruling party, the veteran politician said  Awami League played a pioneering role once to ensure that a free and fair election was held through movements but it now “fears to hold such elections”.

Responding to a query, he said, “It will be a disaster if the election is held under the current EC.” Election will not be free and fair if the EC does not play an impartial role, he added.

Reading out a written statement, Gono Forum General Secretary Mustafa Mohsin Montu said Bangladesh has virtually turned into an “autocratic state” as everything, including the judiciary, circles around one person.

At the meeting, the party decided to take “effective measures” to form a national alliance, “Shoirachar Birodhi Brihottor Jatiya Oikko”, which will comprise of democratic political parties, civil society members and representatives of different professional backgrounds.

Montu said the alliance's aim will be to reinstate people's power and effective democracy as well as to establish rule of law based on the spirit of the Liberation War and Gono Forum's seven-point demand.

At the meeting, party members expressed solidarity with the ongoing student movement for road safety.