Distinguished Fellow of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya on Thursday urged the government and the Election Commission to take ‘stronger’ and more ‘transparent’ measures to restore public confidence ahead of the national election.
He made the call while addressing a regional consultation meeting in Khulna, organised under the pre-election initiative of Nagorik Platform.
“People still have fear and uncertainty in their minds. Without removing these concerns, a participatory election is not possible,” he said.
“If citizens do not regain trust, elections cannot get a democratic character. Transparency, integrity and open discussions are essential to rebuilding that trust.The country is becoming election-focused and elections are inevitable. But the question of what kind of election we will have remains in the minds of the people,” Debapriya added.
He said the platform has started preparing a ‘citizens’ manifesto’ to highlight the expectations and needs of marginalised and disadvantaged people so that their voices are reflected in the election pledges of political parties.
More than 200 participants including local representatives, civil society members, students, women leaders and professionals joined the meeting moderated by Dr Debapriya.
Referring to the development prospects of the southwest region, Dr Debapriya said progress in Khulna and adjacent areas has long been discussed but remains largely unfulfilled.
Despite the inauguration of the Padma Bridge, the expected economic development has not materialised.
Land prices have increased but employment opportunities and fair wages for workers have not improved, he added.
He said region-based industrialisation is necessary to attract young workers and Khulna region has strong potential in agriculture-based industries, shrimp and fish production, as well as tourism.
Large tourism industries can grow around the Sundarbans and the region’s cultural heritage, he added.
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He stressed that election candidates must include commitments on regional development in their manifestos. “Once these promises are made civil society and the media will ensure accountability,” he said.
On port management reforms, Dr Debapriya said efficient port operations are vital for an export-oriented economy. “If foreign investment is needed for necessary reforms, this must be done through a transparent process.”
“If reforms are carried out in the wrong way, the benefits do not reach people. The recent hurry and lack of transparency in port reforms raise concerns,” he said.
He added that both reforms and investments must be undertaken on the basis of merit, open discussion and transparency to ensure sustainability.
Local civil society leaders placed several local and national demands for political parties and election candidates including safer roads, industrial development, banning polythene and plastic waste, strengthening tourism around the Sundarbans and improving governance.
Former BNP central organising secretary and ex-MP Nazrul Islam Manju, Khulna city Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Prof Mahfuzur Rahman, party secretary Advocate Sheikh Jahangir Hossain Helal, Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s acting Khulna city president Sheikh Nasir Uddin, and NCP’s Dr Abdullah Chowdhury were, among others, present.