Exclude those involved in crimes against humanity from polls: Reform commission

 The Electoral Reform Commission has recommended a ban on individuals who were involved in crimes against humanity and extrajudicial killings from contesting in elections.

"Most people do not wish for those responsible for the killing of 1,500 individuals, enforced disappearances and severe human rights violations to govern the country again. Hence, a recommendation has been made to exclude such individuals from participating in elections," said the commission chief, Badiul Alam Majumdar, in Dhaka today (21 January).

"The commission has no intention to exclude anyone from elections but aims to ensure justice for those involved in wrongdoing," he said at a discussion organised by the Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy at the Media Centre of the EC headquarters in Dhaka.  

The commission has also recommended banning the use of posters in elections, Badiul said. 

"We want a fair, non-partisan election system. This includes local government elections under a neutral caretaker government within four months, excluding the next general elections," said the commission chief. 

The commission also suggested strengthening internal democracy within political parties, ending partisan politics among students and teachers, and shutting down foreign branches of political organisations, he said.

Badiul proposed a neutral investigation into irregularities during the 2014, 2018 and 2024 elections, stating, "Those responsible, including EC officials from that time, should face justice. We must prevent a repeat of past fraudulent elections and free the electoral system from malpractices."

The commission has recommended holding the Election Commission (EC) accountable. "After the election is conducted and before the gazette is published, the EC will certify the election. This is to ensure they cannot evade responsibility like they did in the past three national elections," he said. 

Badiul went on to say, "The Election Commission should not justify its inaction by saying, The returning officer declared the results; there was nothing I could do." The Election Commission must have accountability."

He said certifying before announcing the results is crucial. "The Election Commission will declare whether the polls were conducted properly or not. If there are any irregularities, it will take necessary action. After that, if any candidate feels aggrieved, she or he will have the opportunity to go to court."

In response to the question of what the EC would do if irregularities occur in 50 out of 300 constituencies, the reform commission chief said the EC will investigate any irregularities. The constituencies without irregularities will have their results gazetted, he added. 

"We know that the 2018 election was rife with widespread fraud," Badiul said. "At the time, the EC claimed that it was the returning officers who had issued the results, and they had no role to play. This excuse must not be repeated. The EC must take responsibility. If necessary, it should suspend voting in specific constituencies."

In response to another query, he said the three main aspects of reform are cleansing the political arena, purging and freeing the electoral process from wrongdoers and empowering the EC.

The Electoral Reform Commission has made nearly 150 recommendations with the aim of institutionalising the electoral process, making it inclusive and bringing all stakeholders under a process of accountability.