Nine eminent citizens on Tuesday expressed their concerns and resentments over what they said, evil move by the Election Commission (EC) to stop publication of wealth statement of the candidates contesting the January 5 general elections.
In a joint statement, the leading members of the civil society and rights activists expressed the concerns and resentments calling upon the EC for immediately stopping such “suicidal” and anti-democratic activities.
“We are surprised, aggrieved and concerned over the evil activities of the EC to hide and stop publication of wealth statement of candidates in the demand of an influential quarter. The publication of news regarding the wealth statement of ministers and the lawmakers, who became rich amassing huge wealth beyond their legal sources of income created a sensation in the minds of people,” said the statement.
The signatories to the statement are Executive Director of Ain O Salish Kendra Advocate Sultanan Kamal, Executive Director of Manusher Jonno Foundation Shahin Anam, Coordinator of Nijera Kori Khushi Kabir, Executive Director of Centre for Policy Dialogue Prof Mostafizur Rahman, Chief Executive of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Executive Director of Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust Barrister Sara Hossain, Executive Director of Research Initiatives Bangladesh Dr Meghna Guha Thakurta, Executive Director of PIP Trust Aroma Dutta and Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh Dr Iftekharuzzaman.
The civil society people said it is undoubtedly clear that amassing huge quantity of wealth by ministers and lawmakers during the last five years is totally illegal and anti-constitutional is contradictory with the sources of income. “The legitimacy of amassing wealth was questioned further as the concerned candidates were embarrassed and expressed their reaction to the EC with publication of their wealth statements,” the statement added
It said the logic of certain quarter who termed information of affidavit of candidates as secret documents not only conflicting with the higher court and Representation of the People Order (RPO) rather it is contrary to the High Court verdict to disclose eight types of information to the public .
“The acceptability of the EC will diminish to zero level if the publication of information on wealth of candidates is stopped through misinterpretation and loopholes of law. The commission will be held accused of creating barrier in establishing democratic accountability bowing its head to the influential quarter,” the statement added. – Staff Reporter
