EC to decide who can contest polls, commission will only propose reforms: Badiul Alam Majumder

Highlights:

• EC will decide which party can join polls
• Reform commission will work to ensure free polls as people desire
• Commission will only make proposals, only govt can implement those
• Recommendations will be made to scrutinise affidavit system
• Majumder came under fire for saying there were no obstacles to AL joining polls
• He later said the remark was misrepresented by media

The Election Commission (EC) will decide who can participate in the election, Badiul Alam Majumder, head of the Electoral Reform Commission, said today (22 December).

"Our responsibility is to propose reforms to the electoral system," he said while responding to journalists' questions about the participation of all parties in elections.

Speaking after a discussion on electoral system reforms held in the Chattogram Deputy Commissioner's conference room this afternoon, he said the people wanted a fair election.

"Many citizens have unequivocally expressed their desire to no longer be exploited and demanded a fair and impartial election. I want to fulfill my duty accordingly," he said.

Also Read: AL's participation in polls: Anti-Discrimination Student Movement condemns Badiul Alam's remark

Majumder also said the commission will make recommendations, but it was up to the government to implement those.

Mentioning that the current affidavit system contains numerous instances of false and misleading information, he said, "We are considering proposing measures to scrutinise this issue. Our final recommendations are still under development."

Regarding the commission's deadline, Majumder said the commission is expected to submit their recommendations by 31 December.

Many citizens have unequivocally expressed their desire to no longer be exploited and demanded a fair and impartial election. I want to fulfill my duty accordingly

Two other members of the commission, Tofail Ahmed and Jasmine Tuli, were also present at the briefing.

Earlier, Majumder had come under fire for saying there were no obstacles to the AL contesting polls.

The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement condemned the remark, saying, "Allowing a party that has undermined the electoral system of Bangladesh to participate in future elections goes against the will of the people."

Badiul Alam condemns misrepresentation of his statement

Majumder then strongly condemned what he described as the misrepresentation of his statement by some media outlets regarding future elections.

"I stated that our commission will propose necessary reforms to electoral laws and regulations to ensure free, fair, and participatory elections. I also mentioned that I see no obstacles to anyone participating in future elections as long as they comply with the legal framework. Additionally, this is a matter for the Election Commission," he said.