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Friday | November 06, 2026 | Dhaka

SUJAN doubts about holding free, fair UP polls

 New Nation
 Published: 12:00 AM, 03 March 2016

Staff Reporter :Criticising the role of Election Commission [EC], the Sushasoner Jonno Nagorik [SUJAN] has expressed doubt about holding free, fair and credible Union Parishad election scheduled to be held this month.”Not a single election, conducted by the incumbent EC in the last three years, has earned credibility from any quarter. In this situation, we are apprehending that the upcoming UP elections will not be free and fair. And if the present trend continues, the whole electoral system will break down,” M Hafizuddin Khan, President of SUJAN, said on Wednesday. Hafizuddin Khan also former adviser of caretaker government, made the above remark while addressing a press conference organized by SUJAN about UP election at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity [DRU].Urging the EC to hold free, fair and impartial election, he said, “The UP election will raise several questions, as it is going to be held with party symbols. There is no candidate of other political parties, except Awami League, in 25 UPs. And there is no BNP candidate in 118 UPs. It’s a matter of grave concern.””In fact, there was no credible election in this country since 2013. For that reason, the people have lost confidence in EC. The good and honest candidates are not coming forward to participate in the polls,” Khan said.He said, “There must be an inquiry committee to investigate the irregularities and allegations. Everyone must get equal opportunity to participate in the election.” On the other hand, SUJAN Secretary Badiul Alam Mazundar said the incidents of obstructing nomination paper submission would continue until the EC allows the contenders to submit their nomination through online.”It is clear that there is no equal opportunity for the candidates in the upcoming UP election. So far as we know, the two major parties are involved in ‘nomination businesses’ targeting the UP polls. In this case, we urge the EC to make mandatory of filing affidavit of candidates,” he said.The SUJAN leader also claimed that the number of candidates has decreased this time due to lack of confidence in EC. “We fear, it may not be possible to hold fair election following some recent incidents like obstructing nomination submission of BNP contenders,” he said.Alleging that the EC is not discharging its duty independently and impartially, Badiul Alam Mazumdar further said, “If EC will not take any disciplinary action against the irregularities and other illegal acts instantly; the whole electoral system will collapse.”