Upcoming JS polls under shadow: Role of concerned quarters on Aug 4 polls questionable, 20 eminent citizens say

Twenty eminent citizens and intellectuals of the country yesterday said that the roles of the concerned quarters over the ensuing four city corporation and nine pourashava elections were 'unfortunate and questionable.'

"The caretaker government will have to exercise unquestionable neutrality in the ensuing elections and they will have to ensure that the elections are held in free, fair and peaceful manner. However, it is the principal responsibility of the Election Commission (EC) to make the polls fair and meaningful. Formulation of appropriate legal framework, and their full, impartial and strict implementation fall under the EC's responsibilities. However, a fair and acceptable election is not possible in any way without the cooperation and responsible behaviour of the political parties and the candidates participating in the polls. The role of the conscious citizens is also very important. But, the role played by the concerned quarters over the ensuing election was very unfortunate and already questionable," they said in a joint statement.

They also observed that the ensuing election is very crucial and an acid test for the nation. "We must have to overcome this test."

The eminent citizens, including some of the former advisers of caretaker government also urged the voters to exercise their franchise tomorrow (Monday) in a very careful manner so that honest, dedicated and eligible leadership comes out of the election.

"We make earnest request to the voters of 13 city corporations and pourashavas to cast their ballots tomorrow applying their conscience and thought. We also request them to cast their votes in favour of honest, eligible and dedicated candidates, because the preconditions of a truly democratic system are the thoughtful and right decision of the voters. In the past, many of us did not take right decision while casting our ballots and we are now paying the prices for those mistakes," they said.

They also called upon the voters not to apply their voting rights in exchange of any money or other facilities. "If this is done, it will be tantamount to selling out one's conscience. We will have no scope to make complaint in the next five years. We will also have no right to protest the activities of any leader, because they will be elected for our wrong decisions," they said.

The joint statement was signed by Prof Khan Sarwar Murshid, Prof Muzaffer Ahmad, Prof Anisuzzaman, Prof Zillur Rahman Siddique, Dr Quazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, Advocate Sultana Kamal, Rokeya Afzal Rahman, M Hafizuddin Khan, ASM Shahjahan, Prof Muhammed Zafar Iqbal, Prof Syed Anwar Hossain, Khondoker Ibrahim Khaled, Selina Hossain, Syed Abul Maksud, Laila Rahman Kabir, Dilara Chowdhury, Dr Shahdin Malik, Shawkat Ara Hossain, Mahfuza Khanam and Badiul Alam Mazumder.

They call upon the Election Commission, political parties and candidates to be sincere to make the election a success.