Badiul Alam Majumder, head of the Election Reform Commission, has announced that electronic voting machines (EVMs) will not be used in the upcoming elections.
He made the remarks during a roundtable discussion on "Voter Awareness and Civic Activism" at the Nasrul Hamid Auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity on Monday.
Addressing the need for reforms, Badiul Alam emphasized that the demand for change has been a long-standing call from the public.
"Some of us may have forgotten this demand, while others are suggesting reforms can come later. However, we must ensure that dictatorship, authoritarianism, or fascism never return. For that, reforms are essential," he stated.
He added that one of the key demands was significant electoral reforms.
"A broad public consensus must be formed in support of these reforms. The media is playing a crucial role in this, and it’s important that the reforms we propose are well thought out and transparent," he said.
The Election Reform Commission has also submitted draft proposals to the chief adviser, calling for investigations into the usage of EVMs in previous elections and accountability for those responsible.
Referring to the lack of consequences in prior elections, Badiul Alam said: "Although there are legal provisions for punishing election violations with terms ranging from 2-7 years, no one has faced significant penalties. This undermines confidence in the system."
He further suggested including a "no vote" option in the upcoming elections to allow voters more choice.
"The goal is to restore confidence in our electoral system. Even after 53-54 years, we have failed to uphold the country's democratic processes, and the electoral system has been tarnished. Comprehensive reforms are crucial for creating a level playing field, leading to fair and impartial elections," Badiul Alam said.
He expressed optimism that reforms implemented by a caretaker government could help instil confidence over successive election cycles. "Through this effort, fair elections could become a regular practice."
Responding to queries about whether elections should precede reforms, Badiul Alam reiterated the importance of a clean slate.
"Elections could have been held earlier, but reforms are necessary to ensure fairness and impartiality. It’s not possible to conduct a fair election on an uneven playing field," he explained.
On local government elections, Badiul Alam said no decision has been made about whether elections at the union level will be conducted.
https://www.dhakatribune.com/368920
