Govt and EC must take stronger steps to ensure fair polls: Debapriya

Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya has called on the government, the administration and the Election Commission to take stronger and more transparent measures to ensure a free, fair and participatory national election, stressing that public confidence must be restored ahead of the polls.Speaking at a regional consultation meeting in Khulna on Wednesday, organised under the pre-election initiative of the Citizen’s Platform, Dr Bhattacharya said lingering fear and apprehension among citizens could undermine meaningful voter participation. Unless the authorities can remove the anxiety and fear that still prevail in people’s minds, a participatory election will not be possible,” he said.The consultation, held at noon and attended by more than 200 participants including local public representatives, civil society members, students, women leaders and professionals, was conducted by Dr Bhattacharya.He said the Citizen’s Platform has launched the process of drafting a citizen’s manifesto to highlight the needs and expectations of marginalised and underserved communities, ensuring their ...

• 20 Nov 2025