Create an atmosphere conducive to polls

Voters emphasised on Saturday creating an atmosphere conducive for electing honest, capable and dedicated candidates in the 11th parliamentary polls slated for December 23.

They also called for creating a level playing field for all parties contesting the upcoming polls and maintaining law and order to ensure free, fair and peaceful voting.

They made the calls at a question-answer session at 'National Election Olympiad' at CIRDAP International Conference Centre in the capital.

Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Sujan), a civil society platform working for good governance, with the cooperation of the Hunger Project organised the event.

Sujan general secretary Dr Badiul Alam Majumder moderated the question- answer session.

Former Chief Election Commissioner Dr ATM Shamsul Huda termed it ridiculous and funny that the opposition party in the existing parliament is also a part of the government.

If BNP had participated in the last parliamentary election, they could have played a constructive role in parliament, Dr Huda commented.

Sujan president M Hafizuddin Khan said arrest of the opposition leaders and activists will hamper holding of a free, fair, transparent and credible election.

Sujan executive member Tofail Ahmed said contesting the parliament elections has now become an expensive matter.

He suggested holding all the local government elections at a time to cut expenditure and avoid unnecessary waste of time.

He also called for introducing bi-cameral parliament in the country.

Sujan executive member Syeda Rizwana Hasan said political parties in the country somehow try to come to power but after assuming power they do everything according to their will by using the state power.

The participants called upon all to play their due and important role in conducting free, fair and credible election.

Central coordinator of Sujan Dilip Kumar Sarcar and project coordinator of the Hunger Project Mahmud Hasan Milu, among others, were present.

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