Reforms needed for fair elections: Sarjis 

Sarjis Alam, chief organiser of Jatiya Nagorik Committee and general secretary of July Smriti Foundation, has said, “Important reforms are needed in the Election Commission, judiciary and law enforcement agencies for fair elections.”

He said this at a blanket distribution programme at the Moqbular Rahman Government College in Panchagarh on Friday (January 17) afternoon.

“We will not oppose a logical election date, but holding the next general elections within the coming six months is impossible and unrealistic due to persistent irregularities in the voting and judicial processes”, he said.

If the Election Commission, law enforcement agencies and the justice system undergoes comprehensive reforms, a free and fair national election can be held, as per the aspirations of the people, he said.

Over the past 16 years, the entire Rangpur division, including Panchagarh, was largely discriminated against in terms of development, Sarjis alleged. No factories were established and only a few roads were constructed. Sarjis and his fellow student leaders would give their utmost efforts to give the people of Panchagarh their due facilities, he said.