Fair polls not possible under this government

Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader yesterday said that a fair election is not possible under the present government, as it has complete control over the whole electoral system.

"All governments that have come to power in the past have tried to maintain control over the electoral system, just as the current government has done. However, the electoral system should always be independent and kept out of the purview of the government," he added.

The deputy leader of the opposition in parliament made the remarks while speaking to reporters at his party office in the capital's Banani.

The government has appointed its own loyalists to key positions and reformed laws to favour its own interests in the next general elections, Quader said.

"A fair election is never possible in such a reality," the JP chief added.

Quader also said, "When the government feels that it needs to make elections appear neutral, it is doing so and when it believes that it must lose, it makes sure that it does."

The election results are now being determined by the will of the government and not by the people's votes, he added.

The JP chairman finally said democracy is supposed to be a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. "However, the government elected by Awami League is working for Awami League, not for the people."