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JESSORE, May 13 (BDNEWS): If people are politically conscious there is no need to look for competent candidates, said the civil society leaders.
Discussants stated that corruption and good governance could not go together.
They were speaking at a day-long citizens' dialogue on "National Election 2007: Civil Society Initiative for Accountable Development" jointly organised by Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), the Daily Star, the Prothom Alo and Channel i held at the District Council auditorium in Jessore Saturday with Professor Sharif Hossain in the chair.
CPD executive director Debapriya Bhattacharya moderated the dialogue while Shaikh Siraj of Channel i and editor of The Daily Star Mahfuz Anam were present at the dialogue.
Eminent academics and professionals, development and cultural activists, public representatives, political leaders and civil society representatives took part at the dialogue.
The speakers said: "We do not want to be foolish voters. Let us cast our votes after knowing about all aspects of a candidate."
They said that political parties should stress on the practice of democracy within their parties and candidates for the next election should be nominated through proper evaluation of the opinions of the grassroots level workers and leaders.
They also stressed the need for women's participation in the selection of women candidates saying that more the women come forward more good governance would be there.
The discussants also said that changes should be brought in the election process. Election spending, election tribunal and the role of returning officers must be made more transparent.
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