Blueprint made to snatch voting rights

Bangladesh-America Community Development Initiative organised the seminar on "Upcoming Election: Role of Caretaker Government."

The speakers said widespread violence might occur during the election by the BNP-Jamaat cadres as the Election Commission would play as the tool of the BNP-Jamaat. They emphasised strengthening of the caretaker government.

Referring to the role of army during the election, they said the army is under the prime minister and "Why should not be so in the case of Chief Advisor of the Caretaker Government?

Journalist Sharif Shahab Uddin presented the key-note paper at the seminar.

Dr Dwijen Bhattacharya of Columbia University, journalist Saleem Samad, Awami League leader Fakhrul Islam Munshi, Engineer Farashat Ali and Captain Shachin Karmakar spoke at the seminar with Dr Pradip Kar in the chair.

Sharif Shahab Uddin in his paper said widespread corruption in the administration, nationwide terrorist activities and the rise of Islamic militancy posed a threat to holding a free and fair election. He said the entire administration should be brought under direct supervision of the caretaker government during the caretaker government for a free and fair election.

He said the election must be held free from the influence of the high officials, including deputy commissioners (DCs). He emphasised the withdrawal of legal and illegal arms much before the election from across the country. The DCs, SPs and the local armed cadres can seriously influence the election and even they can change the election results, he added.

The caretaker government should address these issues on an urgent basis, he said.