EC must take responsibility for UP election violence

EditorialProthom Alo illustration

Everyone is eager to take credit for any success, but refuse to accept blame for failure. No one is willing to take responsibility for the violence and killings that have been taking place during the union parishad (UP) elections that began towards the middle of last year. The Election Commission (EC) has said it is not responsible for the violence and that the responsibility must be taken by the parties and the candidates contesting in the polls. Leaders of the ruling party, when speaking to the media, have also refused to take responsibility. It is the election commission’s responsibility to ensure a free and fair election. This violence and mayhem are a result of their failure to do so.

Article 120 of the constitution states, “The President shall, when so requested by the Election Commission, make available to it such staff as may be necessary for the discharge of its functions under this Part.” The question is, did the election commission request for such staff to ensure a free and fair election? Secondly, did the staff carry out the responsibilities which have been bestowed upon them? If they did, then surely there would not have been so many clashes and so much violence from the day the election schedule was announced down till the day the results were declared. And if the concerned staff did not perform their duties, then the question arises as to what action the election commission has taken.

And in no way can the election commission evade the responsibility of the over a hundred deaths, including of election candidates, that took place during this five-phase election. The leaders and activists of the ruling party cannot evade moral responsibility for this either

While singing praise for the election commission, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda also castigated one of the main members of the commission, election commissioner Mahbub Talukdar, saying he had some other agenda. He said, I do not know what Mahbub Talukdar’s agenda is. But Talukdar’s words have thrown light on the actual situation.

The role taken by the CEC from the very outset has been aimed at destroying the election process. No matter who takes over the election commission in the future, it will not be an easy task to rebuild this broken down system.

If the election commission cannot ensure an environment conducive to the elections, ensure that the candidates adhere to the Code of Conduct and also ensure that the voters can cast their votes safely, then what is the need for such an institution? This time the UP elections were not competitive. This was no contest. This was all about force. Those with might, used their muscle to bring their results into their bag. And then there were those who having failed to clinch the votes, simply launched an attack on their opponents. So this election in no way has been a reflection of the people’s verdict.

And in no way can the election commission evade the responsibility of the over a hundred deaths, including of election candidates, that took place during this five-phase election. The leaders and activists of the ruling party cannot evade moral responsibility for this either. Awami League claims to be a well organised and disciplined party. This election has pointed out that there is not an iota of discipline within the party. The members of parliament, upazila chairmen and local leaders of the party are interested in boosting their own influence and equally disinterested in upholding the party’s ideology and principles or even the minimum democratic values.