Intel agencies should've  been punished for election offences: Badiul Alam

Intelligence and special agencies should have been punished for their alleged wrongful conduct and election offences, said Election Reform Commission Chairman Badiul Alam Majumdartoday (16 November).

Speaking at a dialogue with the Reporters' Forum for Election and Democracy (RFED) at the Election Commission building, he said these actions must be stopped.

During the discussion, journalists raised concerns about challenges in election reporting, including alleged intimidation by intelligence and special agencies.

Addressing these issues, Badiul Alam said, "It is a serious crime that intelligence and special agencies have done these things. These are illegal and punishable offences. They have committed election offences. They should have been punished. I do not know if it is possible in the future, but these are serious matters. These must be stopped."

The dialogue also brought forward several proposals for election reforms. Among them was a recommendation for direct election for reserved women's seats in the National Parliament.

Badiul Alam expressed his support for the idea, saying, "The election for women will be rotational. For example, if there are 100 reserved seats for women, direct election can be held for these seats. In such a system, women would contest in 100 of the 400 parliamentary seats, while both men and women could run in the remaining 300 seats."

He elaborated on the benefits of this system, explaining that over four election cycles, a woman would be directly elected in each seat, ensuring representation in every constituency.

"This approach will enable women to participate directly and ensure that qualified women are elected in all seats," he added.

Badiul Alam underscored the Election Reform Commission's commitment to strengthening the democratic system.

"We are not just thinking about this election. Many wrongdoings have happened in the past. We will try to stop them and make the electoral system effective so that the democratic system stands on a strong foundation in the long run," he said.

When asked whether the reform process discriminates against certain political parties, including the Awami League and Jatiya Party, Badiul Alam referred to the government's role in setting the scope of work.

He said, "You can ask the government about this... This is the government's intention. They have determined what we should do. However, we are taking opinions from people of all ideologies, and everyone will have the opportunity to share their views."

He also noted the high level of public engagement with the reform process.

"We are receiving various reform proposals through email, website, and messenger. So far, we have received 364 emails and about 70 messages on Messenger. Many have also come in person, and proposals have been submitted by various groups," he further said.

Badiul Alam also called for political consensus on the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs), citing ongoing concerns over their reliability and potential for misuse.

Speaking at meeting, he referred to EVMs as "flawed and controversial devices," highlighting the contentious debate surrounding their role in the electoral process.

The Election Reform Commission has so far held 21 meetings to address weaknesses in electoral laws, regulations and processes.

Based on deliberations in the meetings, the commission has formulated several recommendations aimed at ensuring a more transparent and efficient electoral system.

"Our members have also engaged in consultations with diverse stakeholders.  We are also gathering feedback through our website, emails, and social media platforms. So far, we have received 364 emails and messages providing valuable insights," he said.

Reaffirming the commission's impartiality, he said, "We have no hidden agenda. Our work is unbiased and not aligned with any political party. We are determined to ensure that past mistakes are not repeated."

Challenges with EVM use

The challenges associated with EVMs extend beyond technical issues, encompassing operational inefficiencies and a lack of transparency.

The sudden announcement of voting centres, followed by logistical complications, has further eroded public confidence in the electoral process.

Some 60,000 to 70,000 malfunctioning EVMs are currently stored at the Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory Limited (BMTF), incurring ongoing warehouse expenses that were not included in the initial project budget.

The Election Reform Commission's recommendations are expected to contribute significantly to making the electoral process more transparent and inclusive, as stakeholders remain hopeful that these efforts will strengthen the democratic framework of the country.