Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Monday alleged that the incidents of killing in the name of election have become a regular feature in Bangladesh as the electoral system here has just collapsed.

“The Election Commission seems helpless and weak. Killings are happening in the name of elections. The Election Commission can in no way avoid the responsibility for its failure,” he said.

The Jatiya Party chief said the Election Commission should take into account even if one percent people of the country say the election was not fair.

READ: Bangladesh becoming ‘uninhabitable’, bemoans GM Quader

“The Election Commission shouldn’t announce election results, if necessary, and it can arrange re-election. If it can’t do it, then the Election Commission should step down,” he said.

GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, made the remarks while addressing a views-exchange meeting with the newly formed convening committee of Jatiya Party’s Dhaka north city unit at the party chairman’s Banani office.

He said people know who has become the champion in manipulating the election. “If it continues, the country will not be able to move forward in any way.”

The Jatiya Party chief said among the four basic principles of the constitution, only secularism now remains in place in the country. “People do not have the rights now in the country as there’s no democracy. Without democracy, accountability can’t be ensured either.”

He said the country abandoned socialism by adopting the free market economy. “Nationalism is getting lost while we’re also losing our own identity. Foreign culture is invading us.”

Stating that the nation achieved independence by fighting against discrimination of Pakistanis, GM Quader said the main spirit of independence was to build a prosperous society free from exploitation and discrimination.

“Even after 50 years of independence, we’ve not been able to materialise the basic spirit of independence. Inequality prevails at all levels of society. Laws are enforced differently for ruling party men and for the common people. It’s difficult to do business and get jobs for those who don’t belong to the ruling party,” he observed.

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The Jatiya Party chief said most of the people of the country are struggling to make ends meet for lack of jobs amid the growing price hike. “But some people have amassed huge money and assets. They’re siphoning off money abroad in many ways.”