EC must earn people’s trust
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said people’s lack of trust in the EC remains a big issue. People’s trust in the commission reached zero level in the last two general elections, he added.
“If you do your activities like the last two election commissions did, there is no need to hold talks.”
Masud called upon the EC to evaluate the last two parliamentary elections.
Rezwanul Haque Raja, head of news at Maasranga TV, said the EC on many occasions could not stay out of the government’s control. People’s confidence in the commission can be boosted by taking some visible steps, he observed.
“The debate over the Election Commission will be down to half if the paper trail system is introduced with the EVM.
He also proposed appointing returning officers from EC officials instead of district deputy commissioners.
“There is a crisis of credibility. If you can overcome this, it will be a great success for you. Then everyone will join the polls, people and the media should have trust in you. Political parties will be compelled to have trust in you,” said Toufique Imrose Khalidi, editor-in-chief of bdnews24.com.
ATN Bangla Chief Executive Editor ZI Mamun said elections will not be participatory unless both the Awami League and BNP join those. “You should try to bring BNP to elections. So create such an environment to make it happen.”
Hinting at the allegations of ballot-box stuffing on the night before the voting day of the December 2018 general election, Mamun said, “Ballot boxes were filled with ballot papers at night. The results were announced the following day. This is what happened in Bangladesh.”
Global Television Ltd Chief Executive Editor Syed Ishtiaque Reza said unity among the election commissioners is very important.
Senior broadcasting journalist Mostofa Feroz said the incumbent EC has taken over at a critical time. “It is clear that free and fair elections are not possible under a political government. Although formation of an election-time government is a political matter, you [EC] still can give your opinion regarding the matter.”
Zahirul Alam, head of news at NTV, said restoring people’s trust in EC is a challenging task. “The EVM should be used only after ensuing transparency.”
He urged the EC to step down if it finds any obstacles to carrying out its constitutional duties.
Mozammel Babu, editor-in-chief of Ekattor Television, said if the EC works judiciously, it will be able to overcome all difficulties.
“It is tough to hold a transparent election unless it is a participatory one. If a major party is not taking part in an election, the balance is destroyed.”
About the debate on the use of EVM, Babu said introduction of VVPAT with the EVM could be a solution.
Senior journalist Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul said the EC has to ensure a “better voter list”, level playing field and violence-free environment for a better election and then all will accept the results.
“There is a crisis regarding trust in the Election Commission and the EVM. The commission should correct it.”
BSS Editor-in-Chief Abul Kalam Azad said, “Some people cooked up storiesthat ballot-box stuffing took place on the night before the voting day. But the voting took place on the polling day.”
Deep Azad, head of news at Nagorik TV, said the EC should clarify who will be in charge of the polling stations -- the police or the presiding officer.
“One of the biggest obstacles to the media is that police on many occasions bar journalists from entering polling stations,” he said.
Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal called upon all political parties to take part in elections and flourish democracy.
“It is not possible for us to force the political parties to contest elections.”
He said if all parties do not participate in elections, there will be no competition and democracy will not flourish. “Therefore, our responsibility is to urge all political parties to take part in elections.”
The CEC said many people are talking in favour or against EVM. “This system reduces the use of muscles and fraudulence in elections. We are studying the matter. We have already held some meetings and a few more will be held.”
A total of 27 senior journalists out of 39 invitees joined the dialogue yesterday.