RANGPUR, Dec 19, 2024 (BSS) - Electoral System Reform Commission head Dr
Badiul Alam Majumder has said that the commission is expecting to recommend a
participatory, neutral and fair election through the participation of all
parties.

"Unless they are ineligible, everyone should have the opportunity to
participate in the election. We want, and expect, that there should be an
inclusive, participatory election with the participation of all parties," he
said.
 
Majumder told reporters this today after attending a view-sharing meeting
with people from different levels, including local administration, political
parties and civil society, on the electoral system reform.

He said that in the past, the Election Commission could not work impartially
because elections were held under party governments.
 
"However, in this election, local administration and election officials will
be free from all kinds of influence. For this reason, we hope that free, fair
and impartial elections will be possible," he said.
 
Majumder, also Citizens for Good Governance (Sujon) general secretary, said
that he does not see any obstacle to Awami League's participation in the
upcoming national elections.
 
He said that the work on the Electoral System Reform proposal is almost
complete. Thousands of proposals have been received.
 
After reviewing them, the final proposal for electoral system reform will be
submitted to the interim government by December 31.
 
Then, the interim government will discuss those proposals with the political
parties and later fix the date of the election.

"Through this, the transition to democracy will take place," he said, adding
that it is the responsibility of the Election Commission to revise and update
the voter list.

"We will make recommendations on these issues. The Election Commission must
be able to work impartially and be free from bias," he said and added that
there is a plan to include election officials in this year's commission.
 
At that time, Rangpur District Sujan President Bir Muktijoddha Akbor Hossain,
its Metropolitan unit President Principal Khandaker Fakhrul Anam Benju, Sujan
Divisional Coordinator Rajes De Raju and local leaders were present.

Earlier in the morning, Badiul Alam Majumder attended the view-sharing
meeting on the Electoral System Reform held at the Deputy Commissioner's
conference room with Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Rabiul Faisal in the chair.

Members of the Electoral Reform Commission including Sadiq Al Arman, Joint
Secretary of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs S. M.
Shafayet Hossain, Deputy Secretary Mousumi Das, Superintendent of Police
Mohammad Sharif Uddin, Private Secretary to the Commission Chief Nesar Uddin
Amin, General Secretary of the District Corruption Prevention Committee Belal
Hossain, and leaders of various political parties and anti-discrimination
student movements were present there.

Representatives of civil society, teachers, NGOs, women, election and polling
officers, journalists, administration officials, members of law enforcement
agencies, politicians and local government representatives participated in
the meeting and expressed their views on the electoral system reform.