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Polls Only After Reforms

People didn't die just for elections, says Sarjis

Published : Sunday, 10 November, 2024 at 12:00 AM  Count : 201
DU Correspondent
Anti-Discrimination Student Movement coordinator Sarjis Alam said on Saturday that 2,000 people did not sacrifice their lives and half a million didn't shed blood solely for elections.

He advocated for reforms of the critical systems, urging that elections under an interim government should occur only after necessary reforms are completed.

Sarjis made the remarks at a financial aid distribution event organised by the July Shaheed Smrity Foundation in Sylhet, supporting families of those killed during the July Revolution.

He said, "We're not suggesting that everything in the state must be reformed before elections, nor are we proposing that the reforms take 5 to 6 years. However, there's a minimum amount of time logically required for reforms. No conscientious person would think that a year is enough to reform systems that have been eroded over 16 years. Fixing these systems needs a reasonable timeframe."

Sarjis added, "For 16 years, and even over the past 53 years, Bangladesh's constitution has failed to provide the people with a people's government every five years or protect their constitutional rights. Constitutional reform is necessary. Every government enters power with grand manifestos but soon forgets these promises, disregarding that they are meant to serve as a government for the people."

He added that people did not sacrifice their lives solely for elections, nor did they revolt only for this purpose. People have been frustrated by the corrupt systems, especially in the last 16 years under the Awami League government, where the Election Commission was among the most corrupt institutions. Without reforming the Election Commission, fair elections are unlikely.

He noted that fair elections can't be achieved by just reforming the Election Commission. Other institutions must also be aligned, specially the law enforcement agencies, to prevent incidents of vote-rigging and abuse of power. Additionally, a judiciary process is essential to address any election-related issues, highlighting the need for judicial reforms.

Sarjis, also the General Secretary of the July Shaheed Smrity Foundation said, "Some fascist sympathisers from the Awami League still occupy positions in the High Court, where they gained seats not by merit but by sycophancy. They need to be removed, and deserving individuals should fill these positions."

Sarjis remarked that this uprising wasn't achieved by a handful of people. 

"The fascist government, which prominent political organisations couldn't shake for 16 years, didn't flee due to a few individuals. The combined force of students and citizens across Bangladesh led to this uprising, prompting Sheikh Hasina to flee," he said.

Regarding the cheque distribution to martyrs' families, he said, "We've gathered a list of more than 1,600 martyred families from across the country. After verification, financial aid checks are being distributed to selected families. We are visiting each division to personally deliver the cheques, fulfilling our duty. Verification is ongoing for the remaining families and cheques will be distributed once documents are received."

The event included a 10-member delegation, including July Shaheed Smrity Foundation CEO Mir Mahbubur Rahman Snigdha.



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