Chattogram Bureau :
Chattagram City Corporation (CCC) Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain said that if the upcoming national elections are to be free and fair, a festive election environment should be ensured.
He made these comments during an exchange of views with a European Union election fact-finding delegation at the Chattagram City Council office in Tiger Pass on Wednesday.
The delegation was led by Senior Election Expert Riccardo Chelery, the head of the 7-member team, which included Head of Sector (Belgium) Reginald Soenen, Policy Officer (Germany) Frederik Schumann, Team Leader (Sweden) Mette Bakken, Legal Expert (Austria) Joachim Manuel Wally, Logistics Expert (Portugal) Terry Murray Pinto, Security Expert (United Kingdom) Ian James Miller.
When the delegation asked the mayor for his personal opinion on what needs to be done to make the next national election fair, the mayor said, “In my opinion, a festive atmosphere is essential for free and fair elections. For this, 10 things must be ensured.
That is, an independent and impartial Election Commission, that is, the Election Commission, must be free from political influence.
Equal opportunities for all parties, that is, the ruling party will not use state resources, and the opposition parties must be allowed to campaign without fear.
“An accurate and inclusive voter list, that is, an updated and accurate voter list, must be created so that minorities and marginalized communities are not left out.
The impartiality of law enforcement, that is, the police, RAB, BGB, and all forces including the administration must remain apolitical.
Their role will be to provide security, not to create fear. Free media and freedom of expression, that is, journalists must be able to cover the election without fear. The media must be allowed to work independently.
“The mayor further said that active civil society and observers, both domestic and foreign, must be given free access. Civil society must be given the opportunity to raise voter awareness and report irregularities.
A transparent electoral process, from nomination to vote counting, must be transparent. The impartiality of the judicial system, i.e. electoral disputes must be resolved quickly and impartially.
Political goodwill and democratic culture, i.e. the ruling and opposition parties must demonstrate tolerance and peaceful behavior.
Voter education and participation, i.e. voters must be made aware of their rights and the importance of voting. If these 10 things can be ensured, a festive electoral environment will be ensured, as a result of which the upcoming national elections will be free and fair.
Also present at the time were the acting CEO of the CEC, Md. Ashraful Amin, Chief Education Officer, Dr. Kissinger Chakma, Chief Engineer, Anisur Rahman, and Chief Accounting Officer, Humayun Kabir Chowdhury.
