One-sided polls undesirable, says EC Mahbub

One-sided polls undesirable, says EC Mahbub

Election commissioner Mahbub Talukder on Wednesday said the fifth phase of Upazila Parishad Elections was one-sided as the opposition parties did not participate in the polls which was undesirable in democracy.

Terming it as the most alarming aspect, EC Mahbub said that it was an ominous sign for a democratic nation if the people were not enthusiastic about the elections.

Addressing a press conference at his office on the fifth phase of Upazila Parishad Elections, which ended on Tuesday, Mahbub Talukdar told reporters the upazila polls this time was not an inclusive one as the opposition parties did not contest in the election.

'Such one-sided polls are not good for democracy. Democracy means the opinion of the majority gets expressed in an inclusive and participatory manner. In lopsided polls, opinion of the majority does not get reflected properly,' he said.

'By holding free and fair elections, we must uphold our democracy. The nation is being pushed to the edge of a cliff by people’s lack of enthusiasm and participation in the elections,' he said, adding that lopsided elections were responsible for this situation.

Stressing that the polls environment is an important aspect to ensure inclusive elections, EC Mahbub said, 'We are continuously moving towards one-sided polls scenario, which is not desired for democracy.'