Dhaka, Jan. 24 -- Election Commission leniency in allowing loan defaulters and dual citizens to contest elections is "shameful", Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SHUJAN) Secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar has said.

Speaking at a press conference titled "The Role of Stakeholders in Ensuring a Fair Election" at the Dhaka Reporters' Unity on Saturday, Badiul said money was increasingly dominating the electoral process.

"Money is running the election," he said. "SHUJAN had recommended forming election expenditure monitoring committees for one or more constituencies to prevent irregularities and control campaign spending. But that proposal was ignored, leaving the old system intact."

He also urged the Election Commission to act firmly to stop the spr...