Upcoming national election is unlikely to be participatory: TIB

The Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) on Thursday said that the upcoming national election is unlikely to be participatory, and it is impossible to ensure public confidence in such an election.

Under ‘Political Commitments for Democracy, Good Governance and Integrity: TIB’s Recommendations’, the organisation placed 76 recommendations for fostering democracy, institutionalising democratic values and practices, establishing an effective parliament, promoting good governance, and upholding integrity in the activities of political parties.

The anti-graft watchdog made the recommendations at a press conference in Dhaka.

TIB Executive Director (ED) Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, Adviser - Executive Management Dr. Sumaiya Khair, Outreach & Communication Division Director Sheikh Manjur-E-Alam, and Research & Policy Division Director Muhammad Badiuzzaman attended the press conference, among others. TIB Research Associate Kawsher Ahamed presented the recommendations.    

TIB suggested changing the Article 91(A) of the People’s Representation Order (Amendment) Act 2023, which reduced the Election Commission's power by eliminating its authority to annul the entire result of a specific parliamentary seat. Besides, the pre-election codes of conduct for ministers and parliamentarians should be precisely defined to ensure equal opportunities for all parties and candidates in their campaigns, ensuring a fair playing field in the national election, it noted. Additionally, TIB suggested reintroduction of the "No" vote in both national and local elections.

Dr Iftekharuzzaman said, "We have been practicing the parliamentary system for half a century. Now it is time to adopt a system with proportionate representation in the parliament. Ensuring free, fair, and impartial election is crucial to make the parliamentary system effective. Therefore, there is a need for an unbiased and non-partisan role of the election-time government and all other stakeholders, particularly the administration and law-enforcement agencies."  

While responding to a question, he stated, “Upon reviewing the period before and after the announcement of the upcoming national election schedule, it seems to us that what we mean by participatory election is unlikely to take place this time. This is a matter of great concern. We believe it is challenging to conduct an election that is founded on the principles of voting rights and can instill public confidence in the electoral process.”  

The TIB ED also suggested amending Article 70 of the Constitution to create opportunities of allowing the parliament members to propose dissent, engage in discussions, and vote against their respective parties in all other areas except motion of no-confidence and in case of budget making.
Additionally, he opined that after being elected, the Prime Minister should resign from the party position to perform parliamentary and executive duties in an unbiased and transparent manner.

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