Election Archive
This page was started by “Profile of Bengal” in 2006, on Bangladesh Election.
Here are some selected commens we got, on Election 2006, electoral system and prospects.
Bangladesh Elections.
Muyeedul Hasan writes:
11 November, 2006.
1. In order to find an honourable way-out from the current political deadlock and to avoid the
impending long term damage to the nation, the top leadership of both the major parties
(alliances) and the head of the caretaker government could perhaps agree about a few
specific arrangements, for holding fair and transparent poll, in addition to the existing.
2. A format of additional arrangements for holding fair poll could be as follows:
(a) Publish the entire electoral list on web page without any delay, take specific steps to
verify/amend it as required, and keep it uploaded for subsequent corrections;
(b) Make fool-proof identification cards for voters in all or most of urban areas;
(c) Install CC TV cameras for monitoring situation within and around thepolling centers;
(d) Digital counting of votes.
3. Identify the areas where (b), (c) and (d) can be put in place within next 8 to 10 weeks
from the date of announcement by the head of caretaker government about the agreement
by the major parties (alliances).
Views on this proposal are invited.
Post your views, write to us admin@profile-bengal.com
Riaz Hasan on way out
12 November, 06
A. The publication of the entire voters list in the web page will help a group of people to check
thier names that also in the urban cities only. We dont have internet facilities every where.
HOW ABOUT getting a voluteer group coposing of people from all spheres of life under a
certain organisation to carry out a crash verification programme. The places where the
elegation is more such places can have detailed checking. This will need minimum 15 days to
organise and another 15 days of 24 hour work. That is one way I can think of at present.
B. A fool proof identity card for city dwellers may be it can be done but how I dont know. The
need of another organisation is required which will work along with the people as proposed in
A. What type of identity cards? I think one with photographs using poloroid cameras which
take 4 passport size photographs at a time can be used. Do we have the tiome to order a few
thousands of these? The UN uses it in the mission areas. The shopping mall product code can
be arranged.
C. CCTV can be used in alimited way. Better use aerial petrols so that situations can be
checked and brought under control quickly. We may hire additional helicopters for this
purpose.
D. I dont think we have the tech know how or can arrange the equipment so quickly.I would
suggest that if we really want a fair and free elections we need a lot of CORRECTIVE work to
be completed in a very short time. Do we have the organisational capability to do it? I will
say yes. BUT somebody has to be given the full responsibility and to be TRUSTED. Will our
waring parties agree to that? WHATERVER needs to be done CAN it be done in this short
time? For the better of the country and to keep the DEMOCRATIC process functioning some
more time is requiring (about 15 additional days). I dont know whether it is ALLOWED in the
system.
RIAZ HASAN
Muyeedul Hasan to Riaz
15 November, 06
I am glad that you responded with a number of specific points, which may help
the proposal to turn into an actionable plan, if so required.
A. True the internet facilities are not available everywhere, but print-outs for
various constituencies can be made from nearest facilities by interested parties,
candidates and individuals, apart from EC’s own distribution arrangements.
Major problems would arise on verification and correction, despite suggested
‘crash verification programme’. Can you please rethink to withstand rival claims
for correction and yet complete the job within 3 weeks? This is the core of the
problem.
B. It would be citizen’s ID card – giving name, age, parents’ names, age, address,
two photographs, finger prints, and a bar code securitized to meet the need for
coming election, (total about 120 kb), for max 25% of voters, is not, in my opinion,
is unachievable target.
C. CCTV – two per polling center – should not be that difficult to procure and,
I think, it’s the second important thing after voters list.,
D. It can follow and match the figure B.
Yes, 15 days time extension is ok.
The main objective, at this stage, is to draw attention of the readers (’Prothom Alo’ has posted that piece today) that a sane and nonviolent option is still available. Todraw others to join the discussion, I feel like opening a blog on the web page, I started building: www.profile-bengal.com. What is your view?
Muyeed
From Seikh Tuhin :
I’ve read your opinion in the Current Affairs section. They are all fine and can permanently close the debate on vote robbery. The national ID is very important,and no government is interested to imply this, because there will be no chance of vote theft in that case. CCTV and digital vote counting are fine options, but we have to think about the cost too. and I think the government can give the excuse that we do not have enough man power and time to do that. but if we think about the future prospects, then we must go for the National ID card system. I remember that this project was once began around 8-10 years ago and a big amount of money was spent after that. but the project was cancelled later, and we can assume that it was for the benefit of the politicians.
Thank you.
Sheikh Tuhin,
Under the Union Jack,
Ex-Sub Editor : Daily Jai Jai Din.
[http://www.geocities.com/sheikhtuhin]
Munir Zaman writes
14th November, 06
muyeed, I have read your points. my immediate reactions are sa follows:
1)the extent to which the present dispute, violent dispute, stems from the personality factor of
the CEC, his possible bias etc. any step towards depersonalising the issues,like genuineness
of the voter being assured through authentic photographs,computerisation of the voters’ list
and digital counting of votes should be seen as a package of major steps forward.
Introduction of technical means reduces significantly the chances of human failings.
2) Questions may be raised as to whether, given the limited time, a sufficient number of trained
manpower can be made available for the purpose. Lack of knowledge about the domestic
capacity and the number of firms in the
country capable of doing the job may be at the root of such doubts. A short list of firms,
chosen through a transparent procdure,should be prepared.
3) In the event, doubts about domestic capacity arise, expatriate firms withspecific mandate,
may have to be hired to assist the domestic firms. the US or EC may be interested in funding
the expatriates’ costs.
Majeed Khan writes
12 November, 06
It is an interesting proposal. But with my knowledge of IT, I am unable to make
a real comment. However, your proposal is partial for the job on hand. Urban
population is mere 15-18 percent of the total.
What is most seriously lacking in the proposal of free and transparent election is the trust between the alliances. The second point is that BNP can not concede a change in the EC without the fear of loosing the up-coming election even before it has gone to the poll. The others believe that BNP while in power had set up the administration including the Caretaker Government to win the next election.
Given your IT proposal, the further is for the CA & CG to shake off the spell of any parties’ affiliation, win confidence within CG and ramrod the administration to deliver a fair poll.
Thank you for your mail. The whole nation including us two are deeply concerned.
Majeed Khan
Mohiuddin Ahmed writes
11th November 2006
Dear All,
In midst of the ongoing political turmoil, I received a mail from Mr. Muyeedul Hasan author of “Mooldhara Ekattor” and other books. I am forwarding the mail to you for your comments.
With good wishes
Mohiuddin Ahmed
Managing Director
United Publications.
Shahjahan Kabir writes
11 November 2006
Dear Mr Mohiuddin, Acknowledge with thanks.
The proposals have some merit. However, time is the essence at this current happening. The same proposal if forwarded to the concerned parties on time could have made some positive impact in shaping their decisions. However, at this dying hour the issues (injecting saline?)
may not serve its purpose (save the collapsing situation).
Further, the critical issue of a fair election is not only dependent on a correct voter list, it also needs to ensure that the votes find their way into the ballot box properly (not partly missing or replaced) and of course counted properly (no amount of protest can make any difference to the predetermined election officers) etc etc. All these I am saying from my past experiences. I had some experiences to be associated with the computerization of voter list and photo identification project. I can summarize by one comment, not realistic to use it properly within this time constraint.
With best regards.
Shahjahan Kabir
