Huda destroys
election system

Says Badiul Alam Majumder

Staff Correspondent: Nurul Huda destroyed the election system said Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar, an Economist, development worker, researcher, political analyst, local government and election expert. He is working as the director and global vice-president of the Bangladesh branch of the charity, the Hunger Project. He is also the founding editor of Citizens for Good Governance (Sujan). He answered different questions of media. Outgoing Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda has recently leveled allegations of crores of taka against Badiul Alam Majumder. Sujan editor has come across various issues including that topic.
Question: Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda has accused you of irregularities amounting to crores of taka, which was paid by the commission. I would like to know your statement about this allegation.
Badiul Alam Majumder: The allegations made by the Chief Election Commissioner are first of all false, fabricated and motivated. The allegations of personal transactions against me are baseless. Basically, there was no transaction of commission with me. Which is why I think his allegations are utterly false.
Question: (According to the complaint) CEC Nurul Huda (or) Election Commission officials warned about you, so that there is no context of the transaction. And (Nurul Huda) complained of money transactions. At the time of the commission headed by ATM Shamsul Huda there was same complain against you.
Dr. Badiul Alam Majumder: I did not get any job from the commission. For that reason, there is no chance to keep the work unfinished.
Question: But during the previous Shamsul Huda Commission, he printed a book with money from the commission and the complaint is about printing this book …
Badiul Alam Majumder: Shamsul Huda Commission had no contribution and no financial transaction in the book which we have published with the information of Election Commission. Everyone should remember that in 2005 the High Court issued an order. Candidates were asked to provide eight types of information and the High Court ordered that the Election Commission disclose this information to the public.
The Election Commission took the help of many people in 2008 regarding the affidavit and we also help there. Citizens (Sujan) were the most advanced for good governance in this regard. Because we have done a lot of work on this. We have confronted the voters with the candidates through disclosure of information.
Question: There is an expense to publish this information. Sujan, where does he determine the cost?
Badiul Alam Majumder: We do not have any foreign aid. The expenses were determined with financial support from many members and well-wishers of Sujan.
However, during the Narayanganj city elections in 2011 and Comilla city corporation elections in 2012, the commission paid money.
Question: Sujan is a non-governmental organization. Does the Election Commission have the power to pay this money?
Badiul Alam Majumder: Surely, he has power. And we were the only ones working on the affidavit and publishing it in book form among the people. To do this is to make people aware.
Question: You are talking about filing. The CEC says there is no value in publishing this book. He likened the pages of a book to a piece of paper.
Badiul Alam Majumder: We are unfortunate that we are not aware of our position. I forget what to say from any position.
The court has directed that the information obtained in the affidavit is the right of the citizen. This is a fundamental right like freedom of speech. We have been fighting for the empowerment of the people since 2002. There is a court verdict, if this information is not disclosed, there is a danger that the election will not be fair.
The CEC did not have the capacity to realize its position. That is why he has made such a comment.
Question: You went to Sri Lanka and asked to meet the CEC. He also complained that there was talk of convenience …
Badiul Alam Majumder: I have met the current Chief Election Commissioner Nurul Huda three times in total. We met courtesy after he took charge, where many of our organization were. Then in 2016 we met at a conference in Sri Lanka. No other issues were discussed there. There were vote, election related conferences.
There was no discussion with him about sitting alone or dealing. Can’t give any proof. CEC Banawat has spoken on the pretext of extreme lies.
Question: Why would the CEC be disgusted with such allegations against you? Many are criticizing the commission.
Badiul Alam Majumder: You have to understand the matter. Complaining on behalf of an individual is different from making a complaint on behalf of an organization. We are raising questions on behalf of Sujan about the election fraud. We are boldly announcing his failure.
Another failure of this commission is that they have used a specific device for EVM. This has given the opportunity to digital fraud. The nation will have to pay a heavy price for the failure of CEC. I showed his forgery with my finger in his eye. That is why CEC is inflamed.
Question: Is this because? Or any personal quarrel?
Badiul Alam Majumder: No, I have no personal quarrel with the CEC. Nurul Huda has done great damage to the nation by destroying the electoral system, this is the subject of our criticism.
We’re just criticizing, not that. For example, Rangpur and Narayanganj city corporation elections have been fair, we have also said that.