The media representatives who joined the Election Commission’s (EC’s) dialogue on Wednesday suggested it to take all-out steps for holding a participatory and credible national election.Like the civil society members, the journalists also suggested the EC to earn the trust of people and the political parties through its activities.
Most of them also suggested the Commission to deploy army in the next polls or holding it in a free and fair manner. However, some of them opposed army deployment in the election.
The suggestions that came during the talks also include creating a level-playing field for all the parties and candidates, curbing black money use and muscle power, stopping persecution of minorities during election, appointment of returning officers from neutral government officials, introduction of online nomination submission system, reviewing ceiling of election expenditure, not allowing biased election observers, taking steps to prevent the use of religions in election, taking rigid stance for maintaining the election code of conduct and publishing affidavits submitted by candidates in EC’s website.
“We called upon the Election Commission to take all the necessary steps for holding a free, fair and acceptable election with the participation of all the major parties. A political consensus is also a must for an inclusive and fair election,” said Bhorer Kagoj editor Shyamol Dutta.
Emerging from the dialogue, he also told reporters that it will not be possible to ensure a fair and credible election without the participation of the major parties in it. “So, we’ve suggested the Commission to give priority to earn the confidence of the political parties and people through their acts and impartial and independent attitude.”
“Still, the EC will have to go a long for gaining trust…being a journalist I think the environment for holding an election has not been created yet,” Shyamol said.
President of a faction of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul said, “Most participants said the EC must gain the political parties’ confidence so that all parties join the polls.”
He said some participants opposed army deployment but some others said why the army should not be engaged in holding a fair election when they can earn reputation through their good works outside the country.
Bulbul said most participants opposed the restoration of ‘No Vote’ provision.
Bangladesh Pratidin editor Naem Nizam said, “We asked for the arrangement of an election with the participation of all. We also discussed the role of law enforcement agencies and civil administration in holding the election.”
About the army, he said if the EC think the deployment of army is essential, they should engage them. But the law enforcement agencies must play an import role in keeping the situation control so that people can exercise their voting rights.
Talking about the restoration of ‘No Vote’ provision, Naem said if any voter redeems that no candidate is qualified, there should be an option for him or her to choose ‘No Vote’. It’s constitutional right,” he added.
He said the Commission should re-demarcate some constituencies to remove disparity. He citied that Comilla-10 constituency is 90km long.
President of the Jatiya Press Club (JPC) Muhammad Shafiqur Rahman said he is against the deployment of army in the election. “The army can be deployed only during any national disaster. The regular law enforcement agencies are enough for holding a fair election. If the army is deployed, other forces will become inactive.”
JPC general secretary Farida Yasmin said she asked the Commission for ensuring the participation of more and more women in elections. “The EC needs to take steps so that every political party picks 33 percent of their candidatures from women.”
Senior journalist Mahfuzullah said many participants asked the EC to be careful so that another January 5-like election is not held anymore.
He suggested the EC taking steps for massive reshuffle in the civil administration before the election.
At a press briefing, EC acting secretary Helaluddin Ahmed said all the participants suggested that the 11th national election be held with the participation of all political parties.
About the army, he said two different opinions came in favour of and against army deployment. “Most of them said the EC can deploy the army if it deems necessary,” he added.
The media persons suggested the appointment of neural officials as returning officers during elections. “If necessary, they said, the EC can collect a list of government officials from the Public Administration Ministry to pick neutral officials as returning officers,” Helaluddin said.
The Election Commission started its dialogue with the media representatives around 10:15am. Out of 38 invitees, 26 senior journalists joined talks at the conference room of Nirbachon Bhaban in the city with Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda in the chair.
News Today editor Reazuddin Ahmed, New Age editor Nurul Kabir, Kaler Kantho executive Mostafa Kamal, Manabzamin editor Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, Amader Orthoneeti editor Nayeemul Islam Khan, Jugantor acting editor Saiful Alam, Daily Manobkantha acting editor Anis Alamgir, A faction of BFUJ general secretary Omar Faruk, General secretary of another faction of BFUJ Mohammad Abdullah, journalists Anisul Hoque, Kazi Siraj and Amanullah Kabir, columnists Sohrab Hasan, Mahbub Kamal and Bibhurangan Sarkar, Ittefaq managing editor Ashish Saikat, Jaijaidin Editor Kazi Rokunuddin Ahmad and Shaptahik editor Golam Mortuza are among other participants.
Four election commissioners and EC acting secretary were present at the dialogue.
In the second phase of its dialogue, the Election Commission will also sit in talks with electronic and online media persons on Thursday. The EC invited 34 electronic and online media persons on the second day.
On July 31 last, the EC started its dialogue with talks with civil society members.
As part of the EC’s roadmap prepared for the next general election, the EC will also sit in talks with 40 registered political parties, election observers, women leaders and election experts.
