The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Bangladesh Human Rights Commission (BHRC) has suggested the election commission to immediately go for correcting its newly prepared voter list and voter identity cards to ensure congruity between the two.

The August 4 city and pourasavha polls were held "properly" comparing the past elections in the country, BHRC said in its City Corporation and Pourashava Election Observation Report-2008 adding, "Fake votes were marked in some areas but that were minor."

The BHRC, based on its experiences gathered this time, has suggested six-point measures for better arrangements of the future elections.

It said, the upcoming national election should be organised in phases so that the law enforcing agencies and election officials can especially concentrate in the election area and ensure a free and fare election.

Next local government elections also could be arranged in the same way, the human rights watch dog body of the Government said.

The Commission said punishments of government officials should be executed for their negligence and failure in performing duties neutrally under the Election Commission.

The watchdog also prescribed one-day training programme for the election observers before election conducted by the Election Commission itself.

No major untoward incidents took place as polls in the city corporations and towns were held amidst tight security and an estimated 70 to 75 per cent of voters cast their votes," BHRC told in its observation report.

The Commission also reported some mistakes and mismanagement, such as misplaced photos, names and serial numbers in the voter list, which made the whole process slow -causing anger and fatigue among the voters.