FEMA's reply
FEMA notes with great regret that Mr. Noor-ul-Alam Lenin alleged in his article published in The Daily Star on 14 August, 2006 that FEMA along with a few other leading organisations is linked directly to the alliance government to further their cause of election. This allegation against FEMA is not only unfounded but also an attempt to undermine the dignity and integrity of FEMA. It is well known more or less to all in and outside the county that FEMA is a non-partisan, non-political and non-profit organisation and solely dedicated to the promotion of democracy and democratic institutions. FEMA is a democratic organisation having an elected council of 29 members and also a National Executive Committee of 15 members with Ms. Munira Khan as its president. Any member who directly or indirectly involves himself in politics ceases to be a member of FEMA. All the activities of FEMA are designed with clearance from the NGO Affairs Bureau.
Another allegation of Mr. Lenin that FEMA has not played any role in the preparation of an accurate and updated voter list is also not correct. FEMA has been monitoring the voters' registration process in six constituencies located within six City Corporations and has published from time to time the reports in the newspapers pointing out the omissions and lapses.
The President of FEMA has always underscored the need for the preparation of an accurate voter list through press release and interviews with the news media. Besides, it formulated 47 pages of recommendations for electoral reform, which formed the very basis of amendment to some provisions of the electoral laws on the eve of the last general election.
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