DHAKA: Former chief election commissioner (CEC) ATM Shamsul Huda said that a goal was scored in an empty field of the general election, held in 2014.

He made the statement Saturday morning while addressing the fifth national conference of ‘Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik’ (Sujan) at the auditorium of Institution of Engineers in city.

He also commented that no political party, which refused to participate in the national election, was gainer.

“Those, who had boycotted the election, should discus the background and qualification of the people who were in the election commission,” he added.

“As they didn’t participate in the election, it was held following the constitution.”

The former CEC, moreover, said that autocracy is being practiced in the name of democracy in Bangladesh.

“On the other hand, no opposition party helped the government, whoever was in the power,” he added. “For this reason democracy could not step forward smoothly here.”

He, however, admired the strategy of election commission of Pakistan.

“They decide that who will be the chief of caretaker government there,” said ATM Shamsul Huda. “And, all the Pakistani political parties honor their EC’s decision.”

He also criticized people’s tendency of corruption despite the index of economy is seen rising.

Caretaker government’s former advisor Dr Akbar Ali Khan, former Inspector General of Police (IGP) M Shahjahan and International Chamber of Commerce president Mahbubur Rahman, among others, were also present at the conference, chaired by Sujan president M Hafizuddin Khan.

BDST: 1611 HRS, Dec 27, 2014