Fair election impossible under biased govt: Iftekharuzzaman

A free and fair election cannot be ensured if the government remains biased during the electoral process, said Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) and member of the National Consensus Commission.

He made the remarks while speaking at the inauguration of an election training programme for journalists on Friday morning (September 19).

The event was jointly organised by Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy (RFED) and TIB in Dhanmondi.

Dr. Iftekharuzzaman emphasised that the responsibility of ensuring a credible election does not rest solely on the government. “If political parties are not committed to holding a fair election, it will be difficult to achieve one,” he said.

He stressed the importance of impartiality among election observers and media professionals to uphold electoral integrity.

Referring to the administrative structure, he noted that many individuals close to the ruling Awami League remain embedded in government institutions. “We must acknowledge these existing weaknesses as we move forward,” he said.

In response to a question, the TIB chief highlighted that the lack of accountability, institutional transparency, and good governance is not a recent issue. “This did not begin just 16 years ago. For over five decades, partisanship and political interference have eroded the neutrality of public institutions. Professional disputes and political favoritism have rendered many institutions ineffective,” he said.

Dr. Iftekharuzzaman questioned whether a truly fair election can be expected under the current administration, given that many individuals aligned with the previous regime remain in key positions in the civil administration and law enforcement agencies.

He added that political interference persists even among those who have recently returned to power after being sidelined for years. “There is, however, a third force — those trying to remain neutral and uphold professional standards. Not all in the administration are politically biased; there are officials still committed to professionalism,” he noted.

According to him, the administration now operates amid tensions among these three forces — partisan actors from different camps and neutral professionals. “This structure cannot be overhauled overnight,” he said, adding that time and sustained effort are required to restore balance and rebuild professionalism in public institutions.

He concluded by stressing the need for long-term reforms to ensure political neutrality and institutional integrity in the interest of democratic stability.