The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Speakers at a press briefing here on Thursday urged the Election Commission (EC) to provide detail information of all candidates including income tax return and affidavits with view to elect honest, competent and visionary leaders in the upcoming local government polls.

They also underscored the need for streamlining the election process and strengthening some vital institutions belongs to the EC for the sake of powerful democratic system in the country.

Sushashaner Jannya Nagorik (Sujan), a local NGO, organised the press briefing at the Jatiya Press Club here. Former Advisers to the Caretaker Government M Hafiz Uddin Khan, M Shahjahan, Columnist Syed Abul Maksud and Sujan secretary Dr Badiul Alam Majumder spoke on the occasion.

Hafiz Uddin Khan said "We believe that there are many competent candidates who are willing to contest in the forthcoming elections. They are better than the previous contestants who had not only polluted politics but also plundered national wealth."

He pointed out that as a result of recent political reforms, a number of dedicated and honest leaders have emerged. He called for submitting all data of the candidates before polls so that voters could elect better candidates from among them.

Shahajahan claimed that some candidates who are willing to contest in the forthcoming local government polls found pursuing the voters through providing them with money. He strongly demanded to bring them to justice.

He said a poor number of candidates have submitted their tax returns and affidavits and of them, information of some candidates are consistent with their lifestyle.

Hafiz Uddin said the upcoming election would not be free and fair if the EC do not take any action against those who submitted false information.

Dr Badiul Alam said terrorists, corrupts, black money holders, convicts, loan defaulters must be barred from contesting polls to avoid vote rigging and other unscrupulous practices as rigging and unethical practices eventually invite corrupt leaders in the state power.