The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The people are waiting eagerly for a free and fair election. The government and the Election Commission should go ahead towards an acceptable election and take necessary measures to ensure a level playing field for the sake of the people of the country.

Prof Dr Emaz Uddin Ahmed, former VC of Dhaka University and VC of University of Development Alternative said this at a discussion meeting on 'Economy of Bangladesh and National Election' on Wednesday at the National Press Club.

The function was organised by Industrialists and Businessmen Welfare Foundation (IBWF).

The government has not succeeded in holding the election within ninety days. It was not be a major breach of law if the present date of national election is changed, he said.

Presided over by Prof Abu Nasser Muhammad Abduz Zaher, Chairman of IBWF and Chairman, Board of Directors of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited the function was addressed among others by Mukarram Hossain Khan, former President of REHAB, Abu Ahmed, Professor of Department of Economics of Dhaka University, Alamgir Muhiuddin, Editor of Naya Diganta, Abdul Haque, President of Japan-Bangladesh Friendship Hospital, Kazi Harun-ar-Rashed, Secretary of IBWF and Director of IBBL and Md Shahidul Islam, Foreign Affairs Secretary of IBWF and former Director of IBBL.

Prof Emaz Uddin said that there is no alternative to a democratic government to accelerate the speed of the economy. Bangladesh is potential country. If we could use assets of the country in the proper way, the country would have been one of the top 10 countries of the world. Democratic government needs a democratic culture. But we have failed to provide with a democratic culture the country is not leading towards prosperity and development, he added.

Prof Abu Nasser Muhammad Abduz Zaher urged the government to do whatever is needed for a credible election through participation of all the parties for financial enrichment and to accelerate the speed of the economy.

Professor Abu Ahmed called for keeping wheels of economy active and increase local and foreign investment in order to enrich the economy of the country.

It is not possible to create the environment of investment without an elected Democratic government. Therefore, the government has to organise a credible election through a quick decision.

Alamgir Mahiuddin said, the people are passing time uncertainly. There is no alternative to a credible election to free the nation from this uncertainty.

The government has to play responsible role, he added.