He made the remarks in a statement after the fifth and final phase of the local government election ended on Tuesday.
The election commissioner described voters’ apathy to election as an ominous sign for a democratic country and the nation. “I had also said earlier that we don’t want to join the mourning procession of democracy. Voters’ indifference to election is pushing the nation towards a deep gorge,” he said, underscoring the need for ‘upholding’ democracy through proper elections.
He also said upazila parishad election cannot be free and fair unless it is out of the control of MPs. “Their (MPs’) role as advisers has tainted the grandeur of upazila parishads.”
Mahbub Talukder also said they want to free and independent upazila parishads as per the Constitution.