Legal, institutional reforms key to sustainable democracy: Badiul Alam Majumdar
A free, fair and acceptable election is a prerequisite for democratic transition, but it is not sufficient on its own, Sushasoner Jonno Nagorik (SUJON) Secretary and Chief Executive Badiul Alam Majumdar, said today (25 January)
He stressed that deep legal, institutional and structural reforms are essential to make democracy sustainable and institutionalised.
He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a dialogue in Sylhet on the aspirations of the July Uprising, state reform and election manifestos, organised by Sylhet district SUJON.
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Badiul said that although authoritarian rule ended through the uprising led by students and the public, the struggle to establish democracy is not yet over.
He added that purifying the electoral system, ensuring accountability for human rights violations and undertaking state reforms are central to building an equitable and just society, the core aspirations of the uprising.
In his address, he identified seven major obstacles to a credible electoral system, including criminalisation of politics, the undue influence of money, the dysfunction of the Election Commission, the inactivity of civil society, bias of the election-time government, and excessive centralisation of power.
Leaders from SUJON in Sylhet, Sunamganj, Habiganj, Moulvibazar, and Brahmanbaria districts also spoke at the dialogue.
