'Reforms of political parties a must for true democracy'

CPD Executive Director Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya speaks at a seminar in the city yesterday. PHOTO: STAR

Even the NGOs and businesses require registration, but the political parties do not have registration, he said at a seminar on 'Proactive civic engagement: A road towards a resilient democracy' organised by the Development Studies Group of Independent University, Bangladesh on its premises in the city.

Stressing the need for reforms of the political parties, he said they should have registration, hold annual general meetings and disclose the sources of funds.

The political parties have been demanding reforms of the caretaker government system and the election commission, but they are silent about their reforms, he said.

Debapriya also said that if all the black money is withdrawn from the country, it will be possible to find honest and competent candidates for the general election.

Election has become the most expensive contest and there is no legal framework to control the expenses, he observed.

He also said that the democratic institutions have weakened since the establishment of democracy in 1990. So, the civil society groups have to play an important role in resisting dictatorship, he added.

The independent civil society groups, which have political values but are free from partisan politics and ideologies, should expose corruption in public and private life, promote political participation and democratic values and provide training ground for future political leaders, he pointed out.

Even anti-corruption bodies cannot function effectively without the active support and participation of the civil society, he added.

Prof Bazlul Mobin Chowdhury, vice-chancellor of IUB, Prof Mufakharul Islam, director of School of Liberal Arts and Science of IUB, and Dr Shoaib Ahmed also spoke at the seminar.