Representatives of different print media houses yesterday suggested that the Election Commission (EC) should hold free and fair parliamentary polls with the participation of all political parties to gain the trust of people. They said the EC should carry out the election duties strictly. If necessary, it should take stern action against the government, too, so that the people can see that the EC is performing its duties impartially.

About the deployment of the Army, they gave a split opinion. But the majority said that the EC can deploy the Army after consulting the two major political parties, Awami League (AL) and Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

All the media representatives agreed that certain issues need to be tackled strictly. These include black money, muscle power, election expenditure and the use of religion in election campaigns.

The security of minority voters needs to be ensured and the use of religion in election campaigns must be stopped, they said. The EC has to ensure the security of the minorities, as these groups have always been persecuted before and after the elections, they pointed out.

Most of the representatives agreed that the ‘no vote’ option was not necessary, but some felt it was. Those who talked against the ‘no vote’ option said it would control the democratic rights of the people to some extent. Some said the introduction of that option could spark hatred among the people and split the society.

The suggestions and observations came at the EC dialogue with print media representatives at the Election Bhaban in Dhaka. At least 26 media representatives participated in the dialogue led by chief election commissioner Nurul Huda. They talked about making voting arrangements for expatriates and suggested it to the EC. They said the security of women voters have to be ensured as well.

They also said the media has to be included in the whole election process and journalists should play their due role in the polls.

But they cautioned the EC that election observers must be appointed only after proper scrutiny. They said the EC has to ensure that the observers are not directly involved with any political party and no one should be permitted to be an observer by showing merely a paper.

Senior journalist Mahfuz Ullah said: “Some political parties, especially the AL, are trying to influence the people with benefits. They are trying to influence the polls. We have drawn the EC’s attention to this.”

Regarding Army deployment, he said: “The Army should be deployed. It’s doing development work, running businesses, and doing poll duty in other countries. It’s illogical that their capability cannot be used for holding fair polls in our country. There is no reason to think that Army deployment will spark a controversy.”

Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul, president of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists, said: “Election is a political festival. Everyone has emphasised that the EC has to gain the trust of all political parties. All matters have to be settled after consulting the political parties.”

“No vote should spark hatred against a candidate. This can divide society,” he noted.

“The media has to be included in all election processes. It must get access to the affidavits of the candidates. This will help it screen the candidates,” he added.

“We have suggested that the EC should make a proper voter list, which is the first right of the voters. Their second right is a safe voting environment. If these two rights are ensured, the candidates will accept the results,” he said.

Regarding Army deployment, Bulbul said: “I think the Army should not be deployed continuously. It can be deployed as a striking force.”

“We have told the EC officials that when they meet the political parties, they should say that these suggestions have come from the media and civil society. These are not the EC’s opinions. Then, the political parties will think about it,” he added.

Shyamal Dutta said: “Political consensus is very important. If the main political parties don’t take part in the polls, a fair election cannot be ensured.”

“The environment is not yet conducive for elections. The most important thing is that a free, fair and participatory environment is necessary. It has to be ensured after holding talks with political parties,” he added.

About Army deployment, he said: “That is not a big issue. The election environment is of utmost importance. If the Army has to be deployed, it should function as a striking force.”

National Press Club president Shafiqur Rahman said: “There is no need to deploy the Army. We have the police, RAB, BGB and Ansar. These are enough to hold a fair election. The Army can be deployed when there is a national disaster.”

“If the Army is deployed, the police and the RAB would be sidelined and that will not be good. The Army was deployed in the 2001 election. Yet, a group of BNP and Jamaat-Shibir targeted minorities across the country. So, I don’t support Army deployment,” he said.

About election observers, Shafiqur Rahman claimed: “Observers are the tools of an imperialist power. They want to change governments as they wish. They try to influence voters.”

“I was a candidate in the 2001 election. I saw what the so-called observers and the so-called Army officers did then. I want the polls to be held with the usual force,” he said.

The editor of Bangladesh Protidin, Noim Nizam, said: “The EC is strict about the laws. You must play your real role so that a fair poll can be held.”

After holding a dialogue with media representatives, EC secretary Helal Uddin said at a press conference that they are optimistic after the dialogue with the media representatives. He said the dialogue would help the EC create an environment conducive for polls.