Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda supports army deployment in the upcoming 11thparliamentary election, but not in local government polls. “In past general elections, the army was deployed. Personally, I too think it should be so in this general election. But I cannot take the decision alone because the Election Commission (EC) constitutes of five members,” the CEC said yesterday at a roundtable discussion on “Introducing Overseas Voting in Bangladesh: Issues and Challenges”. Huda, however, added: “We don’t want any army deployment in local government polls.” The discussion was organised by the Election Working Group (EWG) at CIRDAP auditorium in Dhaka yesterday.
Last year, most of the political parties during their dialogue with the EC had demanded army deployment in the parliamentary polls. The BNP had even sought the dissolution of parliament during elections. The ruling Awami League, however, has opposed the demand.
At the EWG roundtable yesterday, BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan again pushed for army deployment in the upcoming general election.
“It’s the reality of our country that muscle power is used here. Tens of thousands of voters don’t go to the voting centres due to the deterioration of law and order. Even many aspirants cannot submit their nominations. Given such a situation, we want army deployment,” the BNP leader said.
“Our army monitors elections and maintains peace and order across the world. But they cannot do it here because it may create hindrances for certain people who want to reap profits out of a chaotic situation. We have nothing to do if the EC takes their side. But we want the poll commission to side with the voters,” he added.
On the other hand, Lt Col Muhammad Faruk Khan, MP, said, “During our dialogue with the EC last year, the CEC had assured us that the armed forces would be deployed in the next general election. The EC will decide how it will be done. I think some political parties are spreading propaganda about it.”
He added: “I don’t see any reason to make
the polls controversial by raising this issue. The EC said army would be deployed.”
About participatory polls, Khan said, “Elections are participatory. Those who want to participate have taken part in every election in the country. No one can be forced to participate in the polls.”
“The voters want to see all political parties to participate in the polls. We are confident that the EC will arrange a free, fair, participatory and peaceful election. The government has done whatever is necessary to strengthen the Commission and it is more powerful now compared to the past,” the MP said.
“If all political parties cooperate, the next election would be good and participatory,” he added.
About voting rights for overseas voters, Khan said, “We think the EC will take necessary steps to ensure the right to vote for all citizens inside the country and also those living abroad. The Awami League will provide the necessary support here.”
The roundtable was attended by former election commissioner Brig Gen M Shakhawat Hussain, former ambassador Nasim Firdaus, former ambassador Abdul Momen Chowdhury, former foreign secretary Shamser Mobin Chowdhury, National Identity Registration Wing Brig Gen Mohammad Saidul Islam, former EC joint secretary Jesmin Tuli and executive committee of EWG Abdul Awal. EWG director Abdul Alim presented the keynote paper on overseas voting.
All the speakers supported voting rights for Bangladeshis living overseas, but said there were different obstacles and challenges in laws, rules and in the mechanism of implementations.
They said apart from expatriates, around 12-15 lakh people engaged in election duties could not cast votes.
Though there were postal or proxy voting systems for the citizens, but there was no such system for the expatriates.
The CEC said, “We have taken the matter of expatriate voters seriously as they are our citizens and they have their right to vote.”
“The expatriates have to be given voting rights even if it is necessary to amend the law,” he added.