No 'thaw in EC deadlock'

Election Commission
Election Commission

Following difference of opinion over possible irregularities in the next general elections a week ago, the chief election commissioner (CEC) has apparently distanced himself from four other commissioners, say officials concerned.

CEC KM Nurul Huda, talking about irregularities in recent civic polls to newsmen on 7 August, said the commission could not guarantee that the national elections would be entirely free from anomalies.

The five-member commission, constitutionally mandated to hold elections, has not held any meeting since then.

Commissioners Mahbub Talukder and Shahadat Hossain said CEC Huda did not call them including two other commissioners for discussing any matter.

However, the five commissioners including the CEC joined a Doa Mafil programme at the commission secretariat on Tuesday ahead of the National Mourning day.

Commission officials said a meeting of the commission is scheduled to be held at the commission on Thursday.

The day after Huda's comment on polls anonalies, four commissioners including Rafiqul Islam and Kabita Khanam told the media that the statement of the CEC would question the acceptability of the commission.

And those, who want to rig the next general elections, would be encouraged, they insisted. They also declined to own the statement of the CEC.

The four commissioners said they have taken oath for holding elections in a free and fair manner.

Certain difference of opinion between CEC Nurul Huda and Mahbub Talukder was reported soon after they had taken over responsibility.

Their gap has widened once massive irregularities were witnessed in the city corporation elections, especially in the form of participation of members of parliament in the polls campaign in violation of electoral rules. The CEC's refusal to deploy army personnel in the polling stations, despite such demand from the the opposition, also made his colleague upset, informed officials said.

Mahbub Talukder was in favour of suspending the elections in Barishal City Corporation following complaints of widespread irregularities but other commissioners did not stand by him.

“There is difference of opinion in the functions of the election commission, but there is no dispute,” said Mahbub Talukder.

Former election commissioner Mohammad Sohul Hussian said the CEC should not give such a statement as the people have been 'suspicious about the fair elections'.

"There is a strong law to make elections fair," he said adding the commission can suspend elections if it is not fair.

Sohul also criticised the reactions from the four commissioners, saying that it was not proper since such public reaction would prove that the commissioners have no confidence in the CEC. "It would be difficult to hold a fair election if the commission runs in such a manner," he cautioned.

Officials at the EC said those, who discharged duties as commissioners in the past, did work in close coordination among the themselves but such coordination is absent in the current commission.

As per constitution, the next polls have to be held within 90 days of the expiry of the tenure of the current government and the countdown will begin on 31 October.

The EC has not yet discussed in its forum possible election schedule altough the government high-ups have made broad hints that the schedule would be announced in October for holding the parliamentary polls in December.

Election commissioner Shahadat Hossain said they are carrying out routine works for holding the elections.
* This report, originally published in Prothom Alo Bangla online, has been rewritten in English by Rabiul Islam.