Dhaka — Gono Odhikar Parishad today called on the interim government to constitute an independent electoral commission within 60 days to ensure free and fair elections, warning that any delay could lead to a constitutional crisis.
In a press conference held at the party's central office in Purana Paltan, party spokesperson Faruk Hasan stated that the current electoral framework is inadequate to reflect the true will of the people. He outlined a 5-point demand for immediate electoral reform.
The Five-Point Demand
The party's central committee, after extensive consultation with district leaders, has formulated the following demands to ensure transparency in the upcoming polls:
- Immediate restructuring of the Election Commission with consensus from all registered political parties.
- Deployment of the armed forces with magistracy power during the election week.
- Use of transparent ballot boxes and the complete abolition of the EVM system, which the party claims is prone to technical manipulation.
- Ensuring equal state media coverage for all registered political parties.
- Strict monitoring of campaign financing to prevent black money from influencing voter choices.
"Democracy is not just about holding an election; it is about holding an election that is undeniably fair, transparent, and reflective of the public mandate. The people of Bangladesh will not accept another compromised vote."
Party President Nurul Haque Nur, who was also present at the briefing, echoed these sentiments. He stated that the youth of Bangladesh, who make up a significant portion of the voter base, are watching the interim government closely. "We shed blood for a democratic nation. We will not let our sacrifices go in vain," he added.
Next Steps
The party has announced a series of nationwide rallies starting next month to mobilize public support for these demands. The 'Rights Patrol' campaign, spearheaded by the youth wing, will distribute leaflets in all 64 districts explaining the necessity of these reforms.
GOP urged other democratic political parties and civil society members to unite under this common cause to safeguard the nation's democratic future.