"Election Commission Is Suffering from Complex Illness"

Senior Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukder said I would like to start with a metaphorical statement. The Election Commission (EC) is now suffering from a complex illness. There is no alternative to forming a medical board. It is imperative to bring the dying democracy back to normal life. We have to decide whether we want a non-democratic election.

He made the remarks to reporters at his office in the election building on Sunday (October 10).

Mahbub Talukder said, I personally inspected the by-election for the post of councilor of ward 73 of Dhaka South City Corporation on October 7. In EVM voting, 20 percent of the votes are cast here. The election was peaceful. But the turnout of the people is so low that I am disappointed. On the other hand, in the by-election for the post of councilor in ward no. 9 of Rajshahi City Corporation, 80 percent of votes were cast in EVM. The reasons for this inequality need to be analyzed. Every effort should be made to increase the number of voters. However, if its obstacles are not removed, the desired result will not be obtained.

He said a candidate has been elected as a councilor despite losing his bail in the by-election of Chawkbazar ward No. 16 of Chittagong city held on October 8. Naturally, all the 21 candidates lost their bail in that election. This is a historical event that is unprecedented in the world. In my opinion, this indicates a new trend in elections. The newly elected councilor, however, has been in jail for more than two years in multiple cases for terrorist activities. Although the results of this by-election are an expression of the people's distrust towards the election, it can be said positively that people from all walks of life are now participating in the election and the people's representatives are being elected without public support!

Mahbub Talukder further said that the controversy of various people over the formation of the next Election Commission is now at its peak. In the last 50 years, no law has been enacted to appoint election commissions as per the constitution. Although it is mandatory, all the ruling governments have violated it. This law is undeniable if there is confidence in the establishment of universal suffrage, people's empowerment and democracy. It is impossible to make such a law without the consent of all parties for the establishment of multi-party democracy. But legislation is not enough. Although legislation is one of the main steps in elections, it must be acceptable to all parties. If there is no agreement on the formation of the Election Commission, the election process and the election management, we fear anarchy and loss of life across the country, which is not desirable in any way.

"Democracy was a prerequisite for our independence," he said. Democracy has been inserted in the four principles of the constitution. If we find democracy like a black cat in a dark room even after five decades of independence, what could be more tragic than this? A voter will leave home and go to the polling station without any hindrance and return home safely after casting vote of his choice. Wouldn’t the state fulfill this aspiration?