The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a roundtable demanded of the Election Commission to ensure voters' access to the information about the aspiring candidates in both local government and parliamentary elections in an appropriate time.

They also voiced in favour of effective evaluation and distribution of the information among the voters so that they can choose the right candidates.

They also urged the government to take necessary steps for the quick disposal of the writ petition, regarding submission of eight categories of information about the candidates, which is now pending in the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court.

They were speaking at a roundtable on 'Right to Information for Fair and Meaningful Election' organised by Shushashoner Janya Nagorik (Shujan), a coalition of individuals working to achieve good governance, at the National Press Club yesterday.

Moderated by renowned economist Prof Mozzafar Ahmed, Chairman, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), former advisers to the caretaker government M Hafizuddin Khan, and ASM Shahjahan, columnist Syed Abul Moksud, Justice Goura Gopal Shaha, former parliamentarians Adv Rahamat Ali and Dr Abdur Razzak, women leader Hamida Hossain, Prof Dr Tofayel Ahmed, Prof Asaduzzaman, Mostafizur Rahman and Matiur Rahman Swapan, among others, participated at the discussion while Badiul Alam Mujumder ,Secretary, Sujan presented key-note paper.

Emphasising the need for peoples' right to information, Prof Mozzafar Ahmed said we found in many elections that the people have serious interest to know about the candidates and significantly consider this information in exercising their voting rights.

Differing with the EC proposed Ordinance for submitting information with the nomination forms, TIB boss opined that voters should get information about the candidates in proper time.

He recommended the EC for ordering the interested candidates to submit the information on eight different categories within three days announcement of the election schedule.

The information submitted to the EC should be hung in different public places and be published in websites, he opined adding "Then the EC should verify the information of the nominated candidates only.''

Those who will submit false information must be declared unfit for the election, he added.

Former adviser M Hafizuddin Khan said the mass media can play a very vital role through investigative reports about the candidates and this should start immediately.

Former Adviser ASM Shahjahan said national consensus has been built on submission of the eight-category information about the candidates.

Justice Goura Gopal Shaha said as per the High Court direction, candidates must provide the information as affidavit, not as declaration.

He said there should be provision of counter affidavit by any citizen to challenge the false information submitted by the aspiring candidates.