Bad election to invite bad consequences: Dr Kamal

Jatiya Oikya Front chief Dr Kamal Hossain on Wednesday warned that there would be bad consequences if the 11th parliamentary elections were not held in a fair and credible manner.
‘I see a very bright future for the country if the election is held in a fair and acceptable manner. But if a fair election is affected and halted, the consequences will be very dangerous. Everyone should keep that in mind,’ he said.
Dr Kamal issued the warning while speaking at a discussion at the Supreme Court Bar Association as the chief guest.
Bangladesh Human Rights Federation arranged the programme on human rights, good governance and voting rights, marking International Human Rights Day and the country’s Victory Day.
Mentioning that only 10 days were left for the elections, the Oikya Front chief called upon the Election Commission to exert all of its constitutional power to ensure credible balloting and protect people’s voting rights and the count’s independence. 
‘Refrain from implementing the government’s unfair directives,’ he said.
He alleged that the police were violating human rights by creating panic among people. 
‘The Election Commission now has all the authorities to stop police from arresting people,’ he said.
‘The constitutional guaranteed that voters would be able exercise their right to franchise independently. I think the commission is not aware of it, I remind it again. Use your constitutional power to prevent the police from committing unfair acts,’ Dr Kamal, also the Gano Forum president, added.
He asked whether the commission had given the police any charge to attack people and obstruct them from carrying out electioneering.
‘Why’re there so many police personnel on the streets? Has the law-and-order situation come to a state that the police now need to stand on the streets? If anyone calls it good governance, I’ll say that person is lying. I can even stand in front of the police and say this. Arrest me if you can,’ the Gano Forum leader said.
He alleged that the government was trying to stage a farce in the name of elections by letting the police loose against common people.
The Oikya Front chief said that the government should not forget that the nation had earned its independence and a constitution at the cost of the blood of 30 lakh martyrs. 
‘We’re ready to give you all the 300 seats if you want to hold a so-called election,’ he said.
He said that the government was trying to have its candidates elected by force to retain power for another five years.
Under the circumstances, Dr Kamal said that people must unite to exercise their voting rights and ensure good governance. 
‘I’m observing that the worries of people over their voting rights were growing,’ he said. 
He said that it would be an onslaught on the country’s independence if people failed to cast their votes independently. 
‘No one should carry out such attack as it’s tantamount to sedition,’ he warned.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net