Without qualified CEC and Commissioner, there will be no fair elections: Former CEC

Former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Mohammad Abu Hena sat in a meeting with the Election Management Reform Commission at the Agargaon election building in the capital on Monday (November 11). After the meeting, he said, qualified CEC and Election Commissioner are needed. Otherwise fair election is not possible. Along with this, we need to develop the political culture of our country. He also told reporters that it is possible to hold effective elections without changing the current system.

This former CEC said, I came on the invitation of the commission. I have shared my experience. I conducted general elections on 12 June 1992. I have shared this experience. I pay my respects to those who were injured and killed in the uprising of our students. I have some suggestions about the upcoming elections. I told them, hope they will consider. My biggest thing is that I want the future elections in the country, be they general or other elections, to be fair and peaceful and for the welfare of the country.

He said, no matter how good the law is, if it is not implemented, the benefits will not come. No matter how many reforms are done, the Election Commission must have qualified people, a qualified commission is needed. Qualified CEC and other Election Commissioners are required. If they are not qualified, there will be no fair election. And we need the development of political culture. It is very important. Candidate selection should be fair. Not imposed from above. You have to come up from below. Eligible candidates should be given through local level elections through voting. It will be good for the country if all the parties implement it.

He also said, "My personal opinion is that there is no need to change the election system." This system can be effective. I don't think a new system is needed. Never mind that it works well in countries that have proportional systems. I know that. The system we have, which is tested on humans, is the system that needs to be made effective. This is the most important thing. It is better to leave it to the parties as to how many chambers the parliament will have.

The former CEC said that it will not be necessary to simply amend the law. Laws need to be enforced by competent people. No affiliation with any party, people with reputation are needed. It can be done if there is commitment for fair elections.

Badiul Alam Majumder, head of Election System Reform Commission, said, "We are encouraged by what he said." He said we are walking in the right direction. He is correct in the light of his experience. We are reviewing the legislation in depth. We are satisfied with our progress. Got some comments from the parties. I will also sit with the media.

He said, there are many types of opinions. In this regard, the constitution must be amended to implement many opinions. In this case we will also sit with the concerned commission.