Follow Pakistan model for fair polls: Akbar Ali

PBC News:  Former caretaker government adviser Dr Akbar Ali Khan has said that an election-time government can be formed following the current electoral system of Pakistan for better elections.

In this system (electoral system of Pakistan) the former Chief Justice will serves as the head of polls-time government and judicial officials will involved in conducting elections, said Akbar Ali Khan while delivering his speech at a debate programme arranged by Debate for Democracy at Bangladesh Film Development Corporation in Dhaka on Sunday.

Debate for Democracy Chairman Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiran presided over the function.

Akbar Ali Khan in his speech said the democratic process will be facilitated if the provision of referendum on unresolved issues at national level, including the election-time government, is introduced.

Akbar Ali Khan said, “If you want strong and neutral elections then follow Pakistan. In Pakistan, the caretaker government system has been introduced by amending the constitution. But the court there did not say that it would not be right to form a caretaker government.”

He further said, “In Pakistan, the caretaker government is headed by a former chief justice and the returning officers are being recruited from district judges. If you wanted to reduce political involvement in the electoral system then district judges should be appointed as returning officers.”

Akbar Ali Khan said, “In the current situation in Bangladesh, changing the electoral system is not easy if the ruling party does not want it. But change is possible through long-term mass movements in which a political compromise is essential. The government would suffer if it interferes in the elections.”

Regarding foreign pressure in elections, he said, “There would be indirect pressure from foreigners for participatory elections. However, it is difficult to say how the government will take the pressure of foreigners. In the current situation of Bangladesh, it is not possible to hold a fair election only by the Election Commission.”