The Election Commission (EC) cannot ensure a free and fair national election without the government’s active backing, Electoral Reform Commission chief Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar said on Saturday.

“If political parties indulge in muscle power and money games, a good election will not be possible,” he said while addressing a shadow parliament debate in Dhaka.

The event, titled “The Role of the Election Commission is Key to Ensuring a Fair National Election”, was organised by Debate for Democracy, with its chairman Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron in the chair.

Majumdar said the polls must be held within the announced February timeframe, with a level playing field for all parties. Alongside the EC, he stressed that candidates, voters, civil society, media, and political parties must act responsibly.

He also warned against the politicisation of student organisations, saying their role should not be reduced to serving as muscle power for political parties, as university student union elections can influence the national polls.

Debate for Democracy Chairman Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury said political parties remain divided on crucial issues, including whether to adopt the traditional or proportional representation (PR) system.

If elections are not held within the declared schedule, the country could face a grave crisis, he warned, urging all parties to compromise for the sake of democracy and the people.

In the debate competition, Bangladesh University of Business and Technology (BUBT) defeated Sir Salimullah Medical College to win the championship.

MN/