For free and fair elections
Round table discussions, seminars, dialogues, etc are being held every day throughout the country on holding free and fair elections. Political parties, groups, alliances, are offering reform proposals on this important national issue. Foreign diplomats, donor agencies based in Bangladesh are also found anxious to see a free and fair election in Bangladesh. Some diplomats are even eager to hold an international conference in Dhaka before the next general election of the country. But it is very interesting to note that everyone is echoing the same tune that in order to have credible elections a strong and fully independent Election Commission is a must. But is it sufficient for free and fair election? Whatever strength is given to and how much independent be the Election Commission (EC), it will not suffice to hold free and fair elections in Bangladesh in the present situation, until and unless the political parties practise fair politics. If the political parties are honest, sincere and patriotic, and do not nominate black money holders and criminals from their respective parties, elections will be free and fair even if the EC is weak.
So reforms, if any, should be brought first in the political parties as well as in the attitude of political leaders of the country.
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