1% signature law is meant to block independent candidates: Hasnat Kaiyum

Lawyer and president of the State Reform Movement, Hasnat Kaiyum, has alleged that the requirement for independent candidates to obtain supporting signatures from 1% of voters is effectively destroying secret balloting and voter safety while barring such candidates from contesting.

"With this law in place, it becomes nearly impossible for poor people, minority communities, and hill populations to take part in elections," Hasnat said while speaking at a discussion titled "Experience-sharing of Independent Candidates" organised by the Dhaka Reporters Unity today (11 January).

He said, "In a system that claims to guarantee secret voting, an independent candidate is being forced to publicly expose 1% of voters. Collecting signatures along with names, identity numbers, and family information puts voters at risk."

Hasnat Kaiyum stressed this requirement is a deliberate legal strategy to distance ordinary people from electoral participation.

He added, "The population of hill and small ethnic communities is confined to a few upazilas. Expecting them to register a political party by forming committees in 100 upazilas is unrealistic. Through legislation, they are effectively being told – there is no place for your politics."

Raising allegations of administrative pressure during the signature verification process, Hasnat Kaiyum shared his personal experience, "Police went to the home of a voter who had signed in our support and questioned the family. Out of fear, the voter later denied knowing me at all. People are being forced to deny their political position just to protect their lives."

Several independent candidates attending the event shared similar experiences.

Independent candidate Sheikh Habiba from Rajshahi-3 said, "As a woman candidate, many women voters initially expressed support. But when they realised that signing with their name and ID could expose them to future harassment, they backed away."

She added, "This 1% signature requirement is designed for male, influential, and wealthy candidates – not for ordinary women or marginalised people."

Independent candidate Sukesh Saha Ananda from Narail-1 said, "Most of my supporters belong to minority communities. After signing, they were asked, 'Why are you supporting an independent candidate?' That question alone is enough to intimidate people."

He alleged, "Although the 1% requirement appears neutral on paper, in practice it is a mechanism to exclude minorities and vulnerable communities from electoral politics."

Independent candidate Syed Razzakul Ali from Jhalokathi-2 said, "When the constitution recognises the right to secret voting, a requirement for public signatures jeopardises voter security. It is not the candidate but ordinary citizens who suffer the most."

Criticising the role of the Election Commission, Hasnat Kaiyum said that no election can be acceptable without reforms of the Election Commission and the police administration.

According to TBS analysis, nomination papers of 351 out of 478 independent candidates nationwide were rejected after scrutiny of affidavits submitted for the 13th national election, representing a 73.4% cancellation rate among independent contestants.