Let the election field be level for all

At a press conference on Sunday, Dr Kamal Hossain announced that Jatiya Oikya Front would be contesting in the 11th parliamentary elections to be held on 23 December this year. We hope this announcement brings an end to the apprehensions and uncertainty concerning the polls and that the way is paved to a free, fair and credible election.

In a democratic political system, it is expected that the election will be inclusive. But past experience in this regard has not been too promising in Bangladesh. Dr Kamal Hossain, on behalf of Jatiya Oikya Front, has said that they are participating in the election as part of their movement. He has also demanded that the election schedule be pushed back by a month.

The people of Bangladesh always look forward to an election to be held amid festivity where they can vote for the candidates of their choice. A citizen can exercise his or her political right by voting in the election. But in the past the people have often not been able to cast their votes freely due to the failure of the election commission and the propensity of the political parties to resort to any lengths to cling on to power or to return to power.

The 5 January 2014 election to the 10th national parliament was an example of such polls. In that election, candidates of the ruling party won in 153 constituencies uncontested. Awami League claimed that the election was one-sided only because BNP had boycotted it. But they must keep in mind that 27 of the registered 39 political parties had boycotted that election, an unprecedented event in the country’s election history. An election that is not inclusive is reduced to a mere farce.

This time BNP and its allies have announced that they will participate in the election, thus kicking off preparation for the polls. Now the ball lies in the court of the election commission and the government. The prime minister has assured the opposition that the election will be free and fair and that there will be a level playing field for all. The chief election commissioner KM Nurul Huda has also said everyone will receive equal opportunities during the election. Steps must be taken to ensure that all adhere to the election code of conduct.

However, it has been noted that while the ruling party freely runs it election campaign, the opposition is obstructed at every step. This was evident during the public rallies of Jatiya Oikya Front in Dhaka and Rajshahi. The law enforcement agencies were clearly biased. This is not acceptable, particularly during the run up to the election. It is the election commission’s responsibility, after announcing the election schedule, to keep an eye on such matters.

Jatiya Oikya Front and other parties have asked for the election to be deferred. Awami League general secretary has said they have no objection if the date for the election is pushed back and have also asked for the last date of forming alliances to be extended. The election commission must then reconsider the election date and acquiesce to the justified demands of the opposition.