Campaign for 'No vote' should be strengthened

Citizens' Rights Movement at a view exchange meeting yesterday called for strengthening the campaign for 'No vote' to raise awareness among the voters so that they can opt for it in the event that all the candidates in their constituencies are corrupt and dishonest.
At the meeting at the National Press Club in the city, the speakers called on the countrymen to vote for honest and competent candidates and caste 'No vote' for corrupt, dishonest and incompetent candidates, which would compel the political parties to nominate honest candidates in future.
Terming 'No vote' as another party, the speakers also said that if the number of 'No vote' becomes highest in any constituency, a further vote should be held there.
“The option for 'No vote' is the greatest achievement in 37 years of the country's history towards establishing a democratic Bangladesh,” said Secretary General of Citizens' Rights Movement Tushar Rehman.
While reading out the keynote paper, Tushar, however, said the effect of the 'No vote' will only be counted if it is 50 percent against a candidate, which would hinder the implication of 'No vote.'
Countrymen's right to vote and political power would have been protected, had there been a system for conducting the polls again in case of 'No vote' getting the maximum votes, the speakers said.
They also urged the voters to cast 'No vote' against the war criminals to establish a non-communal democratic country.
The leaders of the movement also demanded the government establishes a 'Peoples Democratic Bangladesh' instead of 'Peoples Republic of Bangladesh' by reforming the constitution.
Academician M Shakhawat Hossain Tutul, Advocate Fakir Delwar Hossain, freedom fighter Major (retd) Mohammad Mofizul Haque Sarkar, Major (retd) Ziauddin and Prof Mehzabeen Rahman were also present at the meeting presided over by Group Captain (retd) Engineer Mohammad Alfaz.