The next general elections should be held under the caretaker government system considering the existing political culture in the country, said civil society representatives yesterday.
Because of political conflict, the oppositions have very little confidence in a political government. So, anarchy will be created if the next national elections are held under the political government, said the speakers at a roundtable meeting.
Sushasaner Jonno Nagorik (Sujan), a civil society platform working for good governance, organised the roundtable styled "Debate on caretaker government and relevant thoughts" at the Jatiya Press Club.
Sujan President Prof Muzaffer Ahmad said the caretaker government system was introduced because of non-democratic attitude of political leaders.
Due to political distrust, biased administration and "toothless" election commission, it is better to hold the general elections under a caretaker government, he added.
Presenting a keynote paper, Sujan Secretary Badiul Alam Mazumder said besides a neutral election commission, neutral administration and law enforcement agencies are essential for holding a fair and acceptable national election.
Prof Moniruzzaman Mia, a former vice-chancellor of Dhaka University, said he fears that any attempt to hold the next general polls under the political government can cause violence.
He said parliament has to enact a law to hold the national polls under the caretaker government system as it has been cancelled in a Supreme Court verdict.
A caretaker government may be formed comprising nominees of political parties' alliances, justices, newspaper editors and vice-chancellors of public universities, said Moniruzzaman.
Awami League leader Suvash Singha Roy said the political parties need to be more democratic to hold a free and fair national election.
Barrister Rafiqul Haque suggested formation of the caretaker government with some lawmakers from the two big political alliances.
ASM Shahjahan, Justice Kazi Ebadul Haque, Prof Emaz Uddin Ahmed, Enam Ahmed Chowdhury, Syed Abul Maqsood, Prof Ajoy Roy and Asif Nazrul also spoke.