Reaction to Prime Minister's speech
A.League knows EC will work under them
—Zainul Abdin Farooq, BNP Chairperson Advisor
It is just a strategy of govt keeping elections ahead
Badiul Alam Majumdar
Founder secretary, Sujan
EC is independent on paper, not in reality
- Ruhin Hussain Prince
Secretary, CPB
How independent will be proved in the next election
-Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah
President, Nation Election observation committee
Abdur Rahim
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina commented that the Election Commission has been made free and neutral. She said, I have made the Election Commission independent, brought financial stability. There is no opportunity to steal votes during the Awami League period. We have been able to implement people's right to rice and right to vote. We have proven political stability. He said these things at the press conference organized at Ganobhaban on Monday afternoon. Earlier, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said in her meeting with UK Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anne Mary Trevelyan at Ganabhaban last Sunday that the Election Commission (EC) is completely independent to conduct the next elections. However, the Prime Minister's speech has caused mixed reactions among the country's opposition political parties and civil society.
They say that the current election commission is controlled by the Awami League government. This commission does not have the power to go beyond the decision of the government. Independent commission is only on paper. A large part is looking at the strategy of the next 12th parliament election through the Prime Minister's speech. But some say, to rely on the Prime Minister's speech until the end of the election; not to engage in controversy.
Asked about the response to the Prime Minister's speech, BNP Chairperson's advisor and former Chief Whip Zainul Abdin Farooq told the daily post that Awami League wants to hold another farce election. They want to vote BNP with various strategies. The Prime Minister said that the Election Commission has been made independent. Because, they know that the commission has been constituted, they will work under them. Every person in the commission is loyal to them. The Awal Commission will not do anything outside the instructions of the Prime Minister. Therefore, this election will not be held under Sheikh Hasina. BNP will not participate in the elections conducted by any loyalists of the government.
Ruhin Hossain Prince, general secretary of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), told Amar Sangbad that what the Prime Minister said in the press conference that EC has been made independent, these are actually old words. EC is independent on paper but not in reality. If elections are held under the government, they will obey Sheikh Hasina. Because we know that the Election Commission is still not independent. There will be influence on them. There is no reason to trust a commission that is made up of loyal people. What is needed now is the reformation of the next election commission. These issues can be discussed now with the election ahead.
Citizens for Good Governance (SUJAN) Founder secretary, Badiul Alam Majumder told the daily post that how the commissions formed with loyalists will work independently. They will be in control to protect the government. I think it's just a trick. As an election was conducted in 2018, the same strategy has been taken in view of the 12th parliamentary election. I think, these election commissioners will act biased; they cannot be trusted to act independently.
Nation Election observation committee, President Prof. Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah Daily post that what the Prime Minister said is real. Because, this commission was once under the secretariat & associated with the Prime Minister's Office. The Prime Minister's initiative should indeed be welcomed. All controversies need to be kept above. The upcoming twelfth parliamentary election is very close. How independent and how important the election is must be proved by the conduct of the election.
It is to be noted that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited Qatar on March 4 to attend the LDC conference at the invitation of Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. During that visit, he met with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, UN General Assembly President Saba Korosi, Qatar Foundation Chairman Sheikha Moza bint Nasser. Apart from this, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also met with the heads of various international organizations including the United Nations.
JH
