Electoral Reform Chief Stresses Government Support Crucial for Free and Fair Election

Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar, head of the Electoral Reform Commission, on Saturday emphasized that the Election Commission (EC) alone cannot guarantee a free and fair national election without cooperation from the government.

Speaking at a shadow parliament debate in the capital, Dr. Majumdar said, “If political parties resort to muscle power and financial influence, conducting a credible election will not be possible.”

The debate, titled “The Role of the Election Commission in Ensuring a Fair National Election,” was organized by Debate for Democracy, chaired by Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron.

Dr. Majumdar highlighted the importance of holding elections on schedule in February, ensuring a level playing field for all participants. He stressed that, alongside the EC, candidates, voters, civil society, media, and political parties must all act responsibly.

Addressing student politics, he noted that student bodies should not be reduced to instruments of political muscle power, as the outcomes of university student union elections can even influence national elections.

Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury pointed out that major political parties, the key stakeholders in elections, have yet to reach agreement on critical issues, including whether to adopt the traditional or proportional representation (PR) system.

He warned that failing to hold elections within the scheduled timeframe could push the country into a serious crisis and urged all political parties to compromise for the sake of democracy, national stability, and the public.

In the debate competition held alongside the event, Bangladesh University of Business and Technology (BUBT) defeated Sir Salimullah Medical College to claim the championship.