Workers Party ‘disappointed’ with govt

Left-leaning Workers Party of Bangladesh, a major part of the ruling alliance, yesterday expressed disappointment at the country's current election system, including the use of EVM, and over AL's "softer stance" towards religious political parties, at the party's central committee meeting held virtually yesterday.

Party leaders also said that participation of AL allies in elections has become "almost impossible" due to the current election situation, said sources. Opposition parties are also facing a similar situation, leaders alleged.

Party president Rashed Khan Menon presided over the meeting, which was conducted by party general secretary Fazley Hossain Badsha.

Workers Party leaders also alleged that the state's interference in the election system is now openly known and people have lost their confidence in the election system.

They raised questions over the introduction of the EVM system and said the EVM (electronic voting machine) system has turned into a nightmare and the system is being used for irregularities, said sources.

They also criticised the Election Commission for its failure to hold free and fair elections and said the future of the country's democracy will be threatened if the proper electoral system is not restored, they added.

The party also demanded an investigation into the Election Commission's financial irregularities and unethical practices.

In December last year as well as again last month, a group of 42 eminent citizens urged the President to constitute the Supreme Judicial Council to investigate allegations of financial irregularities, corruption, and gross election-related misconduct against the present Election Commission.

At the meeting, Workers Party leaders also viewed that Awami League has shifted its position from the 23-point demands on which the alliance was formed during the BNP-led four-party alliance regime.

Some leaders alleged that the ruling AL is not sincere in strengthening ties among the partners of the 14-party alliance and not willing to sit with alliance partners, said meeting insiders.

They also alleged that the ruling party has now shifted its earlier stance and adopted a softer stance towards religious political parties, rather than its ideological political partners.

"Fundamentalist groups became active [in politics] due to Awami League's compromise to them," a party central leader told The Daily Star yesterday.

The party also stressed the need for launching a strong movement against corruption and criminalisation of politics.