Law and order key challenge for polls: Badiul Alam

Staff Reporter:

Maintaining law and order to create a conducive environment for elections is currently the biggest challenge, said Shujan Secretary Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar.

He stressed that the country’s collapsed policing system must be restored to ensure a safe and credible electoral process.

Speaking at a shadow parliament on “Preventing Misuse of Social Media in the Upcoming Election” at the FDC on Saturday, Badiul pointed to the recent shooting of Inkilab Manch spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi as a source of public apprehension about the polls.

“Although the defeated forces have fled, their allies continue to issue threats and engage in conspiracies to sabotage the election. All democratic forces must stay united against such elements,” he said.

Badiul noted that while individual loyalties exist among some interim government members, the administration remains non-partisan and is committed to delivering a free, fair, and credible election.

He emphasised the critical role of the Election Commission in enforcing electoral laws strictly, warning that violations by affiliated organisations and overseas branches of political parties undermine governance.

“To address failures in governance, constitutional and institutional reforms through an acceptable election are essential,” he added.

He also highlighted the growing challenge posed by artificial intelligence (AI), noting its potential misuse to mislead voters and influence election outcomes.

Badiul urged the Election Commission and the government to establish special cells to counter the negative impact of AI. He called on politicians to return to clean politics and focus on good governance rather than accumulating wealth.