Photo: Collected
The Bangladesh Awami League, which ruled the country for the past 15 years before being ousted in a mass uprising in August this year, will be able to participate in the next national election if the current government or court does not ban it, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has said.
Nasir, a former secretary who was appointed as the CEC on 21 November, made the remark while talking to journalists at a view-exchange meeting on voter list updating and the 13th parliamentary election at the Chattogram Circuit House in the port city this morning (30 December).
"The Election Commission is fully independent now. There is no pressure from the right, the left, or externally. However, we are now under the pressure of our conscience," he said.
"It is possible to hold good elections in this country. It is also possible to hold bad elections," he added. His comments have come at a time when the students who led the mass uprising and various quarters, including some political parties, have been demanding that Awami League be banned as a fascist political party.
Back in October, the interim government had banned Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of Awami League, as a terrorist organisation – citing various reasons including murder, torture, common room-based oppression, seat trading in dormitories, tender bidding, rape and sexual harassment during various times in the post-independence of Bangladesh, especially during the last 15 years of dictatorial rule.
While speaking to journalists at the view-exchange meeting, AMM Nasir Uddin in response to a question said, "We will address the lack of confidence among voters. For this, we will go door to door. We aim to complete this work within six months. We will include those who have been excluded from the voter list."
When asked whether there are any plans to bring the previous Election Commission under punishment, he said, "This is a matter for the Election Reform Commission. We have not yet received their recommendations. However, our commission has not given any such consideration or decision."
Stating that this election will not be like the previous ones, he said, "I want to assure you that this election will not be like the ones before. We will make our utmost efforts for this, and everyone's cooperation will be necessary."
Messenger/JRTarek
