Neutral poll-time govt must for fair elections: JP

It is not possible to hold any election in the country without the use of money and muscle power unless there is a neutral election-time government to hold free, fair and credible elections, a senior leader of the Jatiya Party (JP) has said. Talking to The Independent in the backdrop of crushing defeat at the December 30 municipal elections, JP sources alleged that party’s ministers and MPs are also to blame for the humiliating defeat suffered by JP candidates in just-concluded civic polls. Terming municipality polls as a “show of money and muscle power” by the ruling party, JP leaders said their party candidates, activists and agents were threatened to not to take part in the elections under any circumstances.
They said that the people of Bangladesh have seen the real picture of municipality polls through media and will judge the fairness of elections.
Former Minister and JP Presidium member G M Kader told The Independent, “Four elections—parliamentary, city corporations, upazila chairman and the latest municipality polls—have been held under the present government. The government has failed to hold free and fair elections.”
Referring to JP Chairman H M Ershad’s contention that fair elections can be held under a partisan government, Kader said that Ershad’s view has been proved wrong.
“It is not possible to hold credible elections under the present government, with money and muscle power on full play. Free environment is a precondition for holding fair elections. So, a neutral election-time government is needed for holding such elections,” said Kader in reply to a query.
The government has failed to control administration, ruling party activists and their muscle power during the elections, he alleged.
Ershad’s younger brother said, “JP candidates and activists were arrested prior to the municipality polls. Ruling party men even threatened them within their homes.”
Meanwhile, JP Presidium member Kazi Firoz Rashid has said that JP activists and leaders did not work seriously during the municipality polls.
“There were irregularities in the municipality polls in many places. Whatever we say, the people of the country have seen fraud voting and other irregularities through media,” said Kazi.
However, he also said that it was a debacle for JP and specific guidelines were needed to strengthen party cadres.
According to JP sources, some JP ministers and lawmakers discouraged JP candidates from contesting against Awami League (AL) candidates in the municipality polls.
The party is now getting divided into various sections like some for AL, others for BNP and still
others for Jamaat owing to lack of specific goals.
Meanwhile, JP’s Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Rezaul Islam Bhuiyan had on Wednesday alleged that the ruling party polling agents drove out JP polling agents from 174 polling centres across 24 municipalities during the municipal elections.
Alleging rigging, occupation of voting centres, ballot snatching and other irregularities in the polls, JP has demanded that the Election Commission (EC) hold a re-election in 26 municipalities.

 

Neutral poll-time govt must for fair elections: JP

It is not possible to hold any election in the country without the use of money and muscle power unless there is a neutral election-time government to hold free, fair and credible elections, a senior leader of the Jatiya Party (JP) has said. Talking to The Independent in the backdrop of crushing defeat at the December 30 municipal elections, JP sources alleged that partys ministers and MPs are also to blame for the humiliating defeat suffered by JP candidates in just-concluded civic polls. Terming municipality polls as a show of money and muscle power by the ruling party, JP leaders said their party candidates, activists and agents were threatened to not to take part in the elections under any circumstances. They said that the people of Bangladesh have seen the real picture of municipality polls through media and will judge the fairness of elections. Former Minister and JP Presidium member G M Kader told The Independent, Four electionsparliamentary, city corporations, upazila chairman and the latest municipality pollshave been held under the present government. The government has failed to hold free and fair elections. Referring to JP Chairman H M Ershads contention that fair elections can be held under a partisan government, Kader said that Ershads view has been proved wrong. It is not possible to hold credible elections under the present government, with money and muscle power on full play. Free environment is a precondition for holding fair elections. So, a neutral election-time government is needed for holding such elections, said Kader in reply to a query. The government has failed to control administration, ruling party activists and their muscle power during the elections, he alleged. Ershads younger brother said, JP candidates and activists were arrested prior to the municipality polls. Ruling party men even threatened them within their homes. Meanwhile, JP Presidium member Kazi Firoz Rashid has said that JP activists and leaders did not work seriously during the municipality polls. There were irregularities in the municipality polls in many places. Whatever we say, the people of the country have seen fraud voting and other irregularities through media, said Kazi. However, he also said that it was a debacle for JP and specific guidelines were needed to strengthen party cadres. According to JP sources, some JP ministers and lawmakers discouraged JP candidates from contesting against Awami League (AL) candidates in the municipality polls. The party is now getting divided into various sections like some for AL, others for BNP and still others for Jamaat owing to lack of specific goals. Meanwhile, JPs Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Rezaul Islam Bhuiyan had on Wednesday alleged that the ruling party polling agents drove out JP polling agents from 174 polling centres across 24 municipalities during the municipal elections. Alleging rigging, occupation of voting centres, ballot snatching and other irregularities in the polls, JP has demanded that the Election Commission (EC) hold a re-election in 26 municipalities.