Follow Pakistan model for fair polls: Akbar Ali

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 serve as the head of polls-time government and judicial officials will involve 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 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 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, Akbar Ali Khan 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.”