Phase 1 breaks all records: SUJAN
Violence in up elections
Sushasoner Jonno Nagarik (SUJAN), a platform for election observers, has said that violence in the first phase of union parishad (UP) polls has broken all previous records, and the Election Commission (EC) failed to prevent it.
It further said that trading of nomination has spread to the grassroots level and the violence was marked among ruling party candidates. The observations were made at a press conference, organised by SUJAN at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) in the capital.
SUJAN secretary Badiul Alam Majumder termed the first phase of UP polls as perverted because nomination for money deals were rampant at the grassroots level. This is usually seen at the upper levels. The violence was without parallel and the elections were almost uncontested.
It was a perverted election. People have lost faith on the poll managers. It is not a welcome development. The democratic system is being pushed to the verge of destruction. The nature of poll violence was different this time. On earlier occasions, violence was seen on the polling day only. But this time, it was over a longer period and mostly among ruling party men. Election means competition, but this was almost uncontested. When elections are held without competition, it can be termed as perverted, he said.
Asked why the spurt in violence, he said: The main cause is that the polls are being held under party banners. The EC utterly failed to hold free and fair elections. It did not even take steps against irregularities reported in the media before the elections. The EC says it will not take the responsibility. Then, who will?
Zakir Hossain, assistant secretary of SUJAN, said: The EC and political parties have a major role in holding free and fair elections. But activists of a political party captured polling centres and snatched ballot boxes. So, political parties have to made accountable.
SUJAN presented incidents of irregularities in the first phase of the UP polls at the press conference. Dilip Kumar, central coordinator of SUJAN, said elections in 712 UPs were marked by massive violence and irregularities.
There were allegations of violence and irregularities in 32 out of 36 districts. At least 11 people were killed and over a hundred injured on the day of the elections in firing by law enforcers and clashes among supporters of candidates, he said.
Besides, six people were killed two days after the elections. Ten others were killed and around 2,000 injured since the announcement of the election schedule till the day before the polls, he said. A total of 27 people were killed and over 3,500 injured, he added.
About the election results, he said: Of the 705 UPs, the Awami League won 527, BNP 53 and Independents 110. We think, the results are the outcome of influence and grabbing. Even the BNP did not get a level playing field from the beginning of the polls.
SUJAN said the role of the EC from the beginning is questionable. It could not take steps impartially and with courage, despite having legal support.
It said: Election is the first step of democracy. So, the election system should not be pushed to the verge of destruction.
