Election now in ICU, democracy on life support: Mahbub Talukder
GBNEWS24DESK//
“Actually, election is now in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and democracy is now on life support as its side effect, ” he said addressing a press conference held at the Election Commission at Agargaon in the capital on Sunday afternoon.
The press conference was convened to narrate his observations on the “Second Phase of Union Parishad elections and other issues.”
Mahbub Talukder said, “As the tenure of the incumbent Election Commission (EC) is going to end, I am getting more worried about the electoral system and situation.”
The Election Commissioner said, “The intolerant attitude of the major political parties in the country has brought democracy to an end. Democracy cannot exist without opposition. We want to bring democracy back to a normal state from life support at any cost to establish multi-party democracy. For this, we need to launch a united effort.”
Reiterating the importance of compromise of all political parties, he said it is essential to resolve this crisis.
Talking about the law to form the Election Commission, Mahbub Talukder observed that despite having the obligation of the constitution, it could not be possible to frame Election Commission formation law in the last 50 years.
Though a legislation is required to reform the electoral process, he said, “It is not enough. For this, the interests of all political parties must be protected impartially and it should be acceptable to all parties. There will be no benefit of enacting unilateral law which will only pave the way for one-party rule. It should be resolved soon otherwise an anarchy situation will be created in the country.”
Referring to the second phase of union parishad election, Talukder said at least 39 persons were killed in the pre-and post-election violence across the country.
“We have failed to make the concerned people understand that election is not more important than life,” he said.
Election at 834 union parishads was held on November 11 last, in which, 80 candidates won as chairmen uncontested.
Expressing concern over the uncontested victory in the UP election, the Election Commissioner said it cannot be considered an election literally. “Where there is no competition, there is no election,” he added.
There will be no scope of being elected uncontested anymore if the union parishad elections are opened to all like earlier instead of conducting the polls on party basis.
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