Muscle power, patriarchy putting marginal voters at risk: Iftekharuzzaman
He also criticised EC's recent decision to ban mobile phone use within 400 yards of polling centres, calling the move unreasonable.
Women, Indigenous communities, gender-diverse people and persons with disabilities face serious risks in the current election environment, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said today (9 February).
"Money, muscle power, religion, patriarchy and majoritarian politics now dominate the political landscape, raising deep concerns over whether marginalised groups and people with disabilities will be able to exercise their voting rights freely," he said while speaking to journalists after meeting the Election Commission's (EC) law and order monitoring cell.
Speaking to journalists, Iftekharuzzaman said TIB had formally conveyed these concerns to the EC's monitoring cell, adding that its head and Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Muhammad Sanaullah assured them of necessary action based on the information provided.
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Criticising the EC's recent decision to ban mobile phone use within 400 yards of polling centres, Iftekharuzzaman called the move unreasonable.
"This is like cutting off the head to cure a headache," he said.
He also added that TIB has lodged a formal protest.
Rather than restricting technology, Iftekharuzzaman emphasised authorities taking effective measures to prevent its misuse in the interest of transparency.
