The list of the participants in Annex 1 and the paper with discussion points in Annex 2.

At the outset the TDF president briefed the participants on the background of organizing the in-house discussion and mentioned that this was a sequel to the previous seminar organized by TDF on 17th December 2016 in CIRDAP Auditorium. He added that the nation expected that the next parliamentary election would be a free, fair and inclusive and the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and the Election Commission (EC) would work towards fulfilling the expectations of the people of Bangladesh with total neutrality and by preparing a level playing field for all. The TDF President reiterated the need for a fair democratic process in elections at all levels including at the grassroots level.

In discussion points paper it was mentioned that our glorious independence war, and described how the nation was prepared for the election of 7th December, 1970 for the cause and issue of self determination of our people. An overwhelming mandate was given by the people to Awami League under the leadership of Bangabandhu. The nation used their democratic rights to choose their leaders and send the message of their socio economic and political aspirations to the then rulers of Pakistan. The election paved the way of liberation by uniting us.

The paper underlined concern over nation’s experience of the last parliamentary election held in January 2014 where 153 parliament members were declared elected without any vote. He added that while nation was preparing for the next election that might be held in 2019, the democratic spirit of the people needed to be upheld with the same spirit as in 1970. The nation, he said, must be able to exercise its democratic right to choose its representatives for the parliament for realization of socio, economic, political objectives.

Right to vote is deeply embedded in the democratic spirit of 1971 among our people which culminated in our independence and emergence as a sovereign nation. The nation wants democracy to be allowed to function. The people will constantly watch the role of newly chosen CEC and his team in holding the next elections in free and fair manner.

Participants raised the question whether, in view of the manner in which the 2014 election was held, the election set for 2019 and thereafter would be free and fair. Former Cabinet Secretary It was pointed out that a conducive environment for a future elections has to be ensured by the government and Ec. The gross violation of the election code of conduct by the supporters of the ruling party and the EC’s silence during the recent Comilla Mayor election was mentioned. Without a care taker government we can not expect a free and fair election, it was stated.

It was mentioned that due to the lack of national unity next general election would be difficult and challenging. Everyone expects that the Universal Adult Franchise codes would be respected.

Participants were critical about the past elections and the role of previous ECs, adding that the present EC was no different. The election commissioners should speak out against wrongdoings of the CEC otherwise their silence will make the CEC an autocrat.  The role of search committee was also questioned. Some participants were of the opinion that the political parties should join the election regardless of general perception about the EC’s impartiality and fairness.

Referring recent Comilla Mayor election, it was pointed out that after announcement of the schedule the recent showdown by the ruling party with the participation of Ministers and MPs in Comilla should not have happened. The new EC did not take any cognizance of that. It was emphasised that the parliament should be dissolved before election and there should be an interim Government during that period. It was felt that under the present government congenial atmosphere did not prevail, nor was it likely to prevail in the future for a free and fair election. It was suggested that the renowned lawyers should step forward in such situation and seriously consider about a writ against the verdict of abolition of care taker government. The  civil society had a role to play towards achieving real democracy and that the civil society leaders if necessary should sign a statement on how to ensure a free and fair election’. We are presently in a dangerous situation, it was observed.

The process and intention of selection of CEC and   the formation of the present Election Commission was a big drama. Freedom of expression is being denied and all actions are being taken in the name of parliament. The nation knows that present parliament is not a representative one where 153 MPs were elected without any vote. It is well known that the election during caretaker government was free and fair and added that even in the prevailing non-conducive atmosphere we should continue to strive to build unity among ourselves and civil society to keep pressure on the administration.

Participants put emphasis on monitoring of elections by civil society organizations and other independent observers and there should be no bar in doing so.  It was apprehended that election monitoring might be discouraged during the next election.

Some participants expressed   views on sustainability of democratic process in Bangladesh. With the recent past and ongoing practices by the government during elections democracy is threatened in their hands. The violence during election is discouraging people to participate in the process which is harmful for our nation. Culture of tolerance should nurture among our political leaders and parties. Preservation of democracy   should be our main task. Corruption is rampant in all aspects of administration now, which needs to be stopped and eliminated. The focus should not be only on EC, we can not undo it. Political space, freedom of expression is being suppressed and we should focus on those.

It was stressed that we should come out of the mindset that the ruling party will ever go for a free and fair election because they know what in that case will happen to their fate. They will try to stick to power by any means which their leaders often say till 2041.

Further more it was mentioned the attitude of the ruling party was well known and this necessitated adoption of a right strategic approach s to how we can press for holding a free and fair election under the present EC and present government.

Participants repeatedly brought up the background of the process of selection of the CEC. It was mentioned that the person who was eventually selected to be the CEC had reportedly told his acquaintances that he would not accept any other position in the EC. It implied that the formation of EC was pre-determined by the government.

Question was asked about options available to the defeated candidates for seeking justice for grievances. The response to that was, one month after the gazette publication of the result such legal recourse could be taken by the aggrieved side. EC per se can ask the apex court for assistance, he added.

Some participants were of the view that the Apex court would like to stay away from political controversies holding the position that the EC should resolve the matter by itself as mandated by the constitution.

President TDF Dr. Salehuddin concluded the meeting with a vote of thanks.

Annex: 1

The Dhaka Forum (TDF)

Participant list of In-house Seminar

1. Brig. Gen. M. Sakhawat Hussain (Retd.)

2. Barrister Mainul Hossain

3. Mr. Ali Imam Majumder

4. Dr. Ahrar Ahmed

5. Dr. Dilara Chowdhury

6. Dr. Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah

7. Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Fakrul Azam

8. Ambassador Serajul Islam

9. Ambassador Shamim Ahmed

10. Ambassador Masood Aziz

11. Ambassador Shahed Akhtar

12. Ambassador Iftikharul Karim

13. Prof. M. Muzaherul Huq

14. Syed Abu Naser Bukhtear Ahmed

15. Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed

Annex: 2

In-house seminar on the next national elections in Bangladesh: Discussion points

Date: March 18th, 2017

Venue: TDF Office, Banani, Dhaka

• In the TDF Seminar on 17th December last year participants had hoped that the Selection Committee formed by the Hon'ble President on being asked by the Prime Minister would choose a Chief Election Commissioner and the four Election Commissioners in consultation with the political parties that would be neutral and hold the next national election in a free and fair manner.

• It is now obvious that the nation's hopes were raised for really nothing. The government had decided who would be the new CEC before sending the Selection Committee on a wild goose chase. And in the Election Commission, notwithstanding the system of decision by majority, it is the CEC that in effect controls the Commission. Therefore, the neutrality or otherwise of the 4 Election Commissioners is irrelevant although at least two of them may also have been “chosen” in advance by the ruling party.

• The nation's uncertainty whether their right to vote to elect the government of their choice that was taken away from them by the January 2014 national election when over 90% of them were not able to vote when 153 members went to the National Assembly without a single vote has now been even more uncertain.

• On 7th December 1970, the people of then East Pakistan and subsequently Bangladesh had come together like no other nation in history and had used their democratic right to vote to express their right of self-determination that it effect paved the way for the birth of Bangladesh.

• That was a message from the 75 million people of Bangladesh to Islamabad that they would no longer allow Pakistan's attempt to turn their land into a colony to succeed. Many who had voted for the Awami League to form the Government in Islamabad were not Awami Leaguers.

• They had supported the call given by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to unite on the basis of their fundamental social, economic and political rights that they exercised in the democratic way and civilized way.

• Therefore the spirit of 1971 was really born and embedded in the democratic aspirations of those who had voted on December 7, 1970, and had send their message to Islamabad as a monolith.

• That spirit has almost extinguished. The nation that had come together on 7 December 1970 appears to have vanished, disappeared. And that simply should not be allowed to happen.

• The nation must again come together again as it had done on December 7, 1970 when they had chosen to send the message to Islamabad through their vote that their democratic aspirations for their social, economic and political rights could not be challenged or subdued.

• They overcame the fear of death when the Pakistanis refused to acknowledge the unequivocal message that the people of Bangladesh had sent to Islamabad. They followed that with the Bangladesh Genocide.

• That nation cannot have a government that they have not chosen as the present one or a future government that going by the way the Election Commission has been chosen, looks likely to be another one where they would not be allowed to choose.

• Therefore, the need to ensure that the people of Bangladesh are allowed to vote freely to choose the next government is not a matter for the Awami League or the BNP to decide. It is a matter that is one for all Bangladeshis not just to decide but also to make the commitment that they would allow no power to come between them and their right to vote because it is deeply embedded in the sprit of 1971 that has given their independence; their sovereignty.