Call for movement to encourage voters

Regional dialogue at Rangpur

Rafique Hassan and Rafique Sarker,from Rangpur

Speakers at the regional dialogue on “National Dialogue 2007: Civil Society Initiative for Accountable Development” held in Rangpur yesterday called upon the people to launch a united national campaign for ensuring enrolment in the voter list and people’s right to vote.

They urged the people to form citizens’ committee at every locality for the purpose.

Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) organised the dialogue with the collaboration of The Daily Star, the Prothom Alo and Channel i as part of a civil society initiative for fair elections and accountable development.

Daily Star article 

Deny polls nomination to loan defaulters, criminals

Suggests Prof Rehman Sobhan in memorial lecture
Staff Correspondent

A conscious decision must be taken to deny poll nominations to people with criminal records or who remain in default of their credit and fiscal obligations, observed Prof Rehman Sobhan, chairman of Centre for Policy Dialogue, yesterday.

The Daily Star article 

Prepare CHT voter list in light of peace accord

Larma tells regional dialogue in Rangamati

Rafiq Hasan and Shantimoy Chakma, from Rangamati

The speakers at the sixth regional dialogue in hill town Rangamati yesterday demanded withdrawal of what they said was unofficial martial law, full implementation of the peace accord, and land rights for the indigenous people.

Speaking at the discussion organised jointly by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), The Daily Star, Prothom Alo and Channel i, they said the army rule has yet to end in the three hill districts although a peace accord was signed between the government and the main insurgent groups in 1997.

The Daily Star article

Free, efficient EC must for fair polls

Speakers at the regional dialogue in Chittagong yesterday observed that an independent, impartial and efficient Election Commission (EC) has to be established first for holding a free and fair election.They said everybody has to be more conscious while casting vote and compel the political parties to nominate only honest and eligible candidates.

A dialogue between the ruling and opposition parties is also needed to bring in the reforms in the EC, and sincerity and political tolerance is a must for this, they said.

The dialogue jointly organised by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), the daily Prothom Alo, Channel i, and The Daily Star also witnessed hot debate on the role of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in curbing crime.

http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/07/08/d6070801149.htm