'Elections in ICU, Democracy in Life Support'

The elections are now in ICU and as a side effect, democracy is now in life support, said Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukder.

He made the remarks in a written statement at the Election Building in Agargaon on Sunday (November 14th), referring to "my words on the second phase of Union Parishad elections and other issues".

In a written statement, Mahbub Talukder said, "As the term of the current Election Commission is coming to an end, I am getting more and more worried about the electoral system and situation." Even today I want to say something metaphorically. In fact, the election is now in the ICU. As a side effect of this, democracy is now in life support. The words can be explained. The intolerant attitude of the major political parties in the country has brought democracy to an end. Democracy does not ensue in a one-sided approach, just as there is a need for two parties in a game. We want to bring democracy back to normalcy at any cost to establish multi-party democracy. For this, united efforts are required irrespective of party affiliation. I would like to reiterate that the understanding of all parties is essential to resolve this crisis.

Noting that despite the constitutional obligation, no law has been enacted to form the Election Commission in the last 50 years, he said, adding that enactment of this law is not enough to reform the electoral process. It is necessary to protect the interests of all political parties impartially and it should be acceptable to all parties. Unilateral law will not benefit anyone. Unilateral law only paves the way for one-party rule. The sooner the matter is decided, the better. Otherwise, there is a danger of anarchy in the country.

The Election Commissioner said that it would not be an exaggeration to call this year's Union Parishad election a blood-spattered election, adding that 39 people have been killed so far during and after the election. Elections are not bigger than life. This message has probably failed to reach the people concerned. On November 11, 834 Union Parishad elections were held. As a result, 80 people became chairmen without contest. This cannot be called an election in the literal sense. Where there is no competition, there is no election. If the UP elections are open to all and not on party basis, then there will be no opportunity to be elected without contest. In my opinion, these elections can be held by forming a separate local election authority. Why should the Election Commission take responsibility for the election process that is not fixed by the Election Commission? However, this change is a matter of political decision.

He said that the major problem in national and local elections is that the returning officers have to keep in mind the expressed and undisclosed attitudes of local MPs or local leaders due to political realities. As a result, they want to cover up allegations of violence, harassment, and breach of code of conduct. There is no way they cannot be sycophants. I had this idea while talking to returning officers in different elections. There is no point in telling them to play a courageous role in the election. There is no precedent for providing the necessary protection or security to the brave Returning Officers and the brave officers to protect the local authorities from the rational.

He mocked that Laksam Upazila of Cumilla and Raozan Upazila of Chattogram have set a unique example of ideal election in the world. In the Union Parishad elections of Cumilla's Laksam Upazila, which was nominated as the sole candidate of the Awami League, 65 people won unopposed seats for the posts of chairman, general member and reserved member. On the other hand, in Raozan Upazila, 14 Union Parishad chairmen, 126 members (men) and 42 members of reserved seats have been elected unopposed. For the first time in the history of the country, in any Upazila, 162 UP chairmen and members have been elected without any contest. The election was very peaceful as there were no rebel candidates or rivals in any of the seats. If such a terror-free election can be held across the country, it is enough to have a secretariat under one secretary instead of the Election Commission!