Parties sell nominations to corrupt people

"Political parties are selling nominations and ministership to corrupt people. So, it is not possible for good people to become lawmakers in the present set-up," said Prof Muzaffer Ahmad, president of Shujon, an organisation working to promote good governance.

While the average expenditure of an election candidate in 1973 was Tk 2,000, the figure ranged between Tk 1 crore and Tk 27 crore in the last general election, he said, adding that it stands testimony to the criminalisation of politics.

A parliament member who spent Tk 27 crore in the last general election gave Tk 8 crore to a 'particular Bhaban' and the same amount to the party that nominated him and spent the remaining on electioneering, Prof Muzaffer said in his keynote speech at a seminar on 'Electoral reforms' organised by Bangladesh Economic Association (BEA) at TSC auditorium in the city.

"This MP, who sits in the back row in parliament, again expressed his interest in contesting the election and now he wants to know from his party colleagues that how much he needs to spend to sit in the front row," said Prof Muzaffer, also chairman of the Board of Trustees of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).

Explaining why the candidates bribe the local administration in the run-up to the polls, he said, "Once I have asked a lawmaker why do you send envelopes to the deputy commissioner (DC), officer-in-charge (OC) and Thana Nirbahi Officer (TNO), he replied that his supporters would not be allowed to take out procession if the OC is not given an envelope."

"Should the people vote for those who were involved in looting money from banks and grabbing the lands of the people?" he asked.

Criticising the present system of filing cases regarding election disputes, he said only 26 cases were lodged after the last general elections, but defendants in 11 cases did not challenge those while the hearing of 13 cases did not take place.

He also said around Tk 100 crore was spent on the project to distribute identity cards among the voters, but finally it bogged down.

Candidates now resort to intimidation to get votes instead of going door-to-door to seek votes, he said.

Criticising the present system of nominating commissioners for the Election Commission, Prof Muzaffer said if the government nominates even a 'mad man' for the post, he could become a commissioner.

Questioning the sources of funds for the political parties, he said: "As voters, we want to know where the money comes from and how the parties spend this money."

Earlier, Prof Serajul Islam Chowdhury of Dhaka University, senior journalist ABM Musa and presenter of 'Hridoye Mati O Manush' Shaykh Siraj were awarded 'Gold Medal 2006' for their outstanding contribution to their respective fields.

Presiding over the seminar, BEA President Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad said the BEA is an open forum and that it does not serve the interest of any political parties.

There are some people holding key positions in important institutions who are undermining the interest of the country and the Election Commission is one of them, he said.