Voter listing progress hailed
United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator Renata Dessallien yesterday called on the caretaker government to complete its proposed reforms, the political parties to adopt democratic practices, and voters to choose competent candidates in the upcoming elections.
"The caretaker government must complete the most vital element of its good governance, the reforms agenda, the political parties must put their best foot forward and play their part constructively while internalising democratic practices," said Renata while speaking at a programme at a city hotel titled "Celebrating the Halfway Mark of Voter Registration".
Dessallien, also UNDP resident representative, said, "And, later this year, the voters of Bangladesh must carefully select electoral candidates who will help the nation fulfil its potential."
She said the government's bold institutional reforms over the last 14 months have gone a long way in rescuing democracy and putting it back on track, but for the train to reach the desired destination all democratic actors must pull their weight and play their part constructively.
"Each must weigh its decisions carefully in the interest of the nation," she added.
Referring to the halfway mark of voter registration, she said this is not only a remarkable achievement in its own right, it is also an important landmark on the nation's roadmap to elections later this year.
She said in addition to the voter list, the last 14 months saw the historic reconstitution and reforms of key democratic institutions to prevent excess accumulation of power in one at the expense of others.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) ATM Shamsul Huda said they are sure that people will get a flawless voter list with photographs and identity cards in due time.
He hoped that a flawless voter list would help establish a sustainable democracy and a corruption-free prosperous nation. "But we have a long way to go, we hope the Election Commission with everyone's help will be able to achieve the goal," he said.
Mentioning that 40 million voters' registration is an outstanding achievement, the CEC thanked everyone involved with the voter registration job for their cooperation.
Chief of Army Staff General Moeen U Ahmed said there were challenges and constraints in preparing the voter list with photographs and national identity cards.
"We had to make decisions with apprehension and under huge pressure. We have undertaken an impossible venture, but we have a firm conviction that we made the right decision for the people of our country," he said.
Hoping Operation Navojatra will be successful, Gen Moeen said, "Operation Navojatra will lay the new foundation for building a meaningful democracy in the country."
Election Commissioners Sohul Hossain, Brig Gen (retd) Sakhawat Hossain and other officials of the Election Commission were present at the programme. Different political party leaders including Dr Kamal Hossain, Col (retd) Oli Ahmed, Manzurul Ahsan Khan, Mujahidul Islam Selim, Bimal Biswas, Dilip Barua, Matiur Rahman Nizami and Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid attended the programme.
Leaders of Awami League, BNP and Jatiya Party did no show up.
Former US ambassador to Dhaka Patricia Butenis, Chargé d' Affaires of US embassy in Dhaka Geeta Pasi, head of diplomatic corps and foreign diplomats attended the function among others. Senior military and civil officials also joined the function.
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