Violence, one-sided polls will not benefit democracy:TIB

Staff Reporter :
Expressing deep concerns, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has said that the escalating political violence and uncertainty can be beneficial only for undemocratic forces.

It further said that a non-inclusive one-sided election may secure power, but not democracy, and not certainly the people’s right to vote, nor their trust.

In a statement on Sunday, TIB said that the Election Commission has not taken any steps that could ensure neutral and conflict of interest free role of the election time government consistent with its own election action plan.

It has not set any credible examples of actions either that could help build trust and confidence of all contending parties and the electorate at large that free, fair and inclusive election could be held, it added.

The Commission appears to be contented that it has finished its duties by some facade of consultations with some political parties without any concrete agenda on the key issue of non-partisan role of the election time government, it said.

Overwhelmed by the rule of thumb of duly holding the election, the commission has been de facto serving the agenda of a non-inclusive one-sided election, TIB said.

The anti-corruption watchdog said that violence can in no circumstances be the means to achieve political objectives.

TIB Executive Director, Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, said, “In the past month, approximately two hundred vehicles have been set ablaze, and trains have been targets of similar arson.

We question the democratic value of such actions against public transport.”

“Moreover, a political blame game is on alleging each other of responsibility for the violence and the overall crisis.

The visibly dubious roles of state institutions raise more ominous concerns for the future of the democracy.

When can we break free from this self-destructive political cycle?” he said.