Sujan warns neutral EC essential for credible polls

Staff Reporter :

The Citizens for Good Governance (Sujan) has said that the primary responsibility for conducting elections lies with the Election Commission (EC), warning that polls cannot be free and fair if the constitutional body fails to act impartially.

The remarks were made at a press conference titled “The Role of Stakeholders in Ensuring Free and Fair Elections” held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity in the capital on Saturday.

Sujan’s chief executive, Badiul Alam Majumdar, addressed the event, while the organisation’s central coordinator, Dilip Kumar Sarker, presented the written statement.

Expressing serious concern over the EC’s recent conduct, Majumdar recalled an alleged comment by an election commissioner regarding a candidate’s nomination.

“As far as I remember, a commissioner reportedly said, ‘We have validated the nomination; now pay the bank dues.’ This clearly suggests the person was a loan defaulter,” he said.

“Showing such leniency towards a defaulter from a constitutional institution is unacceptable.

The Election Commission must be questioned on whether such behaviour will continue. If it does, the future holds grave consequences, and this election will inevitably become controversial,” he added.

Majumdar warned that unless the EC strictly enforces the law and takes immediate action to curb intolerance and violence, the upcoming election would again be marred by disputes.

He stressed that political parties, candidates, the Election Commission and the government all have a shared responsibility to ensure a peaceful and credible electoral process.

Without fostering a culture of democratic coexistence, he said, public expectations of a fair election would remain unfulfilled.

Defining democracy as equal opportunity and mutual tolerance, Majumdar criticised attempts by parties and candidates to exclude rivals from the electoral field.

“We are seeing statements such as ‘if that party contests, we will not’ or ‘if that candidate stands, I will withdraw’.

This is a complete violation of democratic values,” he said, urging political actors to abandon such attitudes.

He also raised concerns about growing intolerance leading to violence, citing incidents of egg-throwing, dumping of dirty water and other forms of harassment.

“If these actions are not stopped now, and if political parties and their candidates do not restrain themselves, and if the Election Commission and the government fail to control the situation firmly, it could spiral out of control,” he warned.

He further criticised what he described as the continued influence of money in elections.

He said Sujan had previously proposed continuous monitoring of candidates’ campaign expenditure by the EC, but the recommendation had been ignored.

He alleged that undue flexibility shown towards loan defaulters and dual citizens was unacceptable and undermined public trust.

He also flagged concerns over alleged irregularities related to postal ballots, warning that such issues could cast doubt on the entire electoral outcome if not properly investigated.

Addressing emerging challenges, he cautioned against the spread of misinformation and disinformation, particularly with the use of artificial intelligence.

“In the AI era, it is possible to make the living appear dead and the dead appear alive. Such propaganda will be used more aggressively in this election,” he said, calling on the EC to remain vigilant and proactive.

In the written statement, Sujan reiterated that the Election Commission must remain completely neutral to ensure a credible election.

Sujan called on the EC to maintain absolute neutrality, ensure a level playing field for all parties and candidates, strictly enforce the electoral code of conduct, and take firm action against the use of black money and muscle power.

It also urged the commission to ensure the neutrality of law enforcement agencies and election officials, suspend polls at centres where serious irregularities occur, and cancel results if necessary.

Addressing political parties, Sujan urged them to adhere strictly to the electoral code of conduct, refrain from a “win at any cost” mentality, avoid influencing officials or law enforcement agencies, and accept election results peacefully, regardless of the outcome.

Speaking at the event, central coordinator Dilip Kumar Sarker said a credible election would not be possible without the combined efforts of all stakeholders, including the Election Commission, administration, political parties, media and civil society.
He emphasised the need to create an environment in which voters could exercise their franchise without fear.

Sarker also called on voters to reject candidates who are corrupt, violent, extortionists, human rights violators, misogynists, drug traffickers, smugglers, loan and bill defaulters, communal elements, land grabbers, environmental destroyers or holders of illicit wealth.

Leaders of Sujan, representatives of civil society and people from various professional backgrounds were present at the press conference.