SHUJAN conf calls for election manifestos reflecting July uprising

City Desk :

Shushashoner Janno Nagorik (SHUJAN) on Friday urged political parties to include clear commitments to implementing the July National Charter in their election manifestos, emphasising the need for a democratic reset following the 2024 mass uprising.

At a press conference titled “What Kind of Election Manifesto Do We Want in Aspiration for a Mass Uprising?” held at the National Press Club’s Jahur Hossain Chowdhury Meeting Hall, SHUJAN Secretary Dr. Badiul Alam Majumder stressed that parties must explicitly state their stance-“yes” or “no”-on the charter’s implementation and a referendum. “Fair and impartial elections alone aren’t enough; we need democratic transformation through legal and structural reforms to institutionalize democracy,” he said.

Dr Majumder called on parties to adhere to the law, reform internally, and implement recommendations from the Election System Reform Commission. He highlighted wealth accumulation by past winning candidates, questioning how politicians would end the “business of politics and politicization of business.” He recalled Awami League’s pre-2008 “Dinbodler Shondha” manifesto, now forgotten and proposed treating manifestos as binding contracts enforceable by citizens.

SUJON Treasurer Syed Abu Naser Bakhtiar Ahmed echoed the call for credible elections, advocating verification of candidates’ affidavits by the Election Commission and National Board of Revenue (NBR). He demanded parties clarify positions on reform commission recommendations and banning affiliated organizations.

Delivering the keynote, North South University Dean and Professor Dr. A.K.M. Wareshul Karim described Bangladesh at a “critical juncture” post-July-August 2024 events-a youth-led awakening demanding justice, participation, and dignity. He outlined 15 key manifesto pledges, including:
Ø Explicit commitment to the July Charter and reform commissions.
Ø Accountability of state machinery and law enforcement.
Ø Institutionalizing democratic bodies and restoring constitutional balance.
Ø Merit-based society, anti-corruption measures, women’s empowerment.
Strong local government, equitable healthcare, climate action, and democratic cultural reforms.
Other attendees included SUJON Treasurer Syed Abu Naser Bakhtiar Ahmed, National Committee Member Ekram Hossain, and Coordinator Dilip Kumar Sarkar.

Dr. Karim concluded: “Citizens don’t seek perfect leaders but honest, responsible guidance. Civil society must bridge dialogues, ensure accountability, and build a just, inclusive Bangladesh.”