The 11-party alliance including Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has demanded army deployment and the withdrawal of Sadar upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) Khairul Islam to ensure a free, fair and impartial vote in the Thakurgaon-1 by-election.
The alliance also demanded strict action against violators of the electoral code of conduct and central CCTV monitoring of voting, counting and the announcement of results.
AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, assistant secretary general of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and coordinator of the 11-party alliance, told reporters this on Wednesday after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin at the Election Bhaban. Other senior leaders of the alliance were present.
“If a free, fair and impartial vote cannot be ensured in the Thakurgaon-1 by-election, the effect will not be limited to one seat. Failure to ensure a proper voting atmosphere could spread protests across the country. Both the government and the Election Commission will have to bear responsibility for the political consequences,” Hamidur Rahman Azad said.
Referring to the by-election of 1994, the Jamaat leader said: “Everyone must be careful that a situation like the fall of the government of that time does not arise.”
The alliance put four specific demands at the meeting. First, the army must be deployed for the election at once. Second, Sadar UNO Khairul Islam must be withdrawn before the election and a departmental inquiry held against him. Third, strict and effective action must be taken against violators of the code of conduct. Fourth, voting, counting and the announcement of results must be monitored centrally through CCTV cameras.
Arguing for army deployment, Hamidur Rahman Azad said: “People have a crisis of trust in the other law enforcement agencies. But trust in the army is still comparatively intact. If the army is in the field, voters will be able to go to the centres without fear.”
He also expressed deep concern over obstruction of campaigning, attacks and the security of Hindu voters. “There are about 168,000 Hindu voters in the Thakurgaon-1 seat. We are receiving allegations of threats and beatings against them,” he said.
“Under Articles 118 to 126 of Part VII of the Constitution, the Election Commission must play an effective role in carrying out its constitutional duty. Assurances or statements alone will not solve the problem; it must be reflected on the ground. Otherwise, even if the commission claims to be independent and strong, that will not be proven,” he said.
Saying the commission had given positive assurances at the meeting, the alliance coordinator said: “Although the atmosphere and assurances of the meeting were positive, if they do not match the situation on the ground, these steps will be called an eyewash.”
“The situation before a vote and the experience of past elections often give an idea of what will follow. But the alliance will take its final position and decision after seeing tomorrow’s voting and the result,” he said.
On local government elections, Hamidur Rahman Azad said: “The roadmap for local government elections was changed because of a minister’s statement. That raises questions about the Election Commission’s independence. We have also informed the commission of various irregularities and inconsistencies in the transfer of voters.”
“The Thakurgaon-1 by-election is a big test for the Election Commission. This election will prove how independently the commission can do its job,” he said.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report