551 professionals claim election and referendum 'severely flawed', demand fresh polls

A group of 551 eminent citizens from various professions have claimed that the 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum held on February 12 were 'severely flawed' and have demanded the cancellation of the results and fresh elections under a neutral caretaker government.

The demand was made in a joint statement on Monday signed by citizens from various professions including journalists, doctors, academics and lawyers. On behalf of the signatories, the statement was signed by Dr Jamal Uddin Chowdhury, president of the Health Thought Council.

The statement said the 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum held under the illegal Dr Yunus government were severely flawed, which has damaged the country's image. Widespread fake voting, images of empty polling centres without voters, and the festival of stamping ballot papers the night before polling day have made this election unacceptable.

The statement further said the Awami League, the party that led Bangladesh's birth which enjoys support from over 50 per cent of voters, along with the 14-party alliance and other progressive parties, were deliberately kept out of the election by Dr Yunus's government, formed through illegal and unconstitutional means, without regard for any laws or regulations. This truth has emerged in the initial reactions of the Commonwealth and European Union.

Citing Asian Network for Free Elections Chairman Rohana Hettiarchchi, the statement said he mentioned in a post-election observation press conference that the suspension of Awami League's registration has impacted inclusivity and political competition. He also noted that there was an accountability crisis in the election.

The statement claimed that observations from journalists known to be critical of Awami League have revealed that no more than 25-30 per cent votes were cast in this election. The signatories reminded that over 87.5 per cent votes were cast in the participatory and inclusive election held under the then caretaker government in 2008.

Mentioning that the nation is astonished and disappointed by the Election Commission's role regarding the referendum results, the statement said serial numbers were not given on referendum ballot papers in expectation of benefiting from manipulation. Moreover, voters were influenced to stamp 'yes' by placing 'tick' marks beside 'yes' and 'cross' marks beside 'no' on the ballots. The referendum results show that voting was shown to have been cast ranging from 175 to 244 per cent in multiple constituencies.

The statement said the Election Commission, acting as a subordinate to the Yunus government, has revealed its bias and tarnished the country's image abroad.

The professionals have demanded the immediate cancellation of this rigged election plagued by various irregularities and the restoration of the nation's image by organising a free, fair, participatory and inclusive national parliamentary election under a neutral caretaker government after reconstituting an impartial Election Commission. They believe that bypassing inclusive politics and society, sustainable development and stability of the state cannot be achieved.

Among the signatories to the statement are 97 journalists including Molla Jalal, Syed Badrul Ahsan, Farida Yasmin, Manjurul Islam, Syed Borhan Kabir, Shaban Mahmud. Additionally, there are 243 doctors including Dr Kamrul Ahsan, Dr S U Ahmed, Dr Rokea Sultana, 9 academics including Professor Dr Md Anwar Hossain, Professor Dr A K M Jamal Uddin, and 202 lawyers including Barrister Navid Islam, Advocate Nasir Uddin, Advocate Anisur Rahman.