Shushashoner Jonyo Nagorik (Shujon), a civil society platform, said yesterday that the Gazipur and Khulna city corporation polls will be a litmus test for the Election Commission (EC) -- whether it can hold free and fair polls -- as the next general election is approaching. “The two civic polls will not only judge the popularity of the candidates, but also assess the popularity and skill of the commission. These two elections are very important before the next parliamentary polls,” said columnist Abul Maksud.
He expressed confidence that the civic polls will be held in a fair and peaceful environment and honest, eligible and dedicated candidates would win.
The observation came at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU) on the occasion of putting forward information about the contestants taken from their affidavits in the civic polls.
Eminent jurist Shahdeen Malik and Shujan secretary Badiul Alam Majumder were present.