Asif Nazrul speaks to DOT :
We saw so many irregularities during electioneering. We saw the opposition leaders being arrested, attacked and sued. We also witnessed dominant campaign by the ruling party. Such incidents occurred in the country unchecked, which may matter nothing if the election is held fairly. If the voting is held successfully, the voters exercise their franchise and the election result is determined through a fair election—all the allegations will disappear. To me, this is the duty of the Election Commission and the voters. Voters must go to the polling centres. We get the chance to vote in a general election every five years, to decide who will run the country for a five-year term. This is not only our right, but our responsibility. We hope we can do that and the Commission helps us do so. If voting is held fairly in up to 100 seats only, we cannot term the election fair. Fair election has to be held in all 300 constituencies. Sending the media and observers in some certain centres where voting is held peacefully, does not necessarily resemble the scenario of the rest of the country.
If voters do not know where their polling centre is, they will lose interest in casting their ballots. Then again, I would expect that all’s well that ends well. If so, we’ll forget the shortcomings of the beginning.
Asif Nazrul is a Law Professor of Dhaka University. Interviewed by Khairul Alam, translated by Sayeed Muhammad.
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