Clarify the election code of conduct

The election is knocking at the door, but the role and activities of the body responsible to conduct it are in the spotlight. There are concerns. The commission has committed mistakes at the very outset.

The incident in front of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party office proves the concerned ones were not duly diligent. Stern action should have been adopted earlier when the ruling party men collected nomination papers holding a showdown.
The Election Commission (EC) must remember that the example of its being independent and strong is best shown by its supervision of the ruling party. The commission, instead, remains silent when the law is violated by the ruling party. Yet it is stern while the same was done by the opposition. There are many important issues still undefined and unclear.
The current code of conduct was introduced when the election was held after dissolution of the parliament. At that time, no one from the caretaker government would contest in the election and no one remained member of parliament. The issue did not arise as the opposition did not join the polls last time.
There were no contest in 153 constituencies and the aspirants did not have to run any significant campaign. This time the scenario is different and the EC should take this into consideration.
The EC was aware that the BNP could join the polls this time, but it did note preparae accordingly. If the commission cannot take control from the beginning, it will be ever more dofficult later. Allegations over violating the code of conduct have already spread. Ministers and members of the parliament are aleegedly influencing the election procedures and the administration.
Many of those in responsible positions are apparently self-restrained on the occasion, but this is not enough to win the trust of the BNP, or of the people.
The lack of a level playing field for the elections was created by the abolition of the caretaker government system and this has not been rectified effectively. The five-member EC formed to fill the gap through a selection committee has not yet succeeded to prove itself as an independent and strong institution. The commission could not amend the existing laws to win the BNP’s trust in order to carry out an election under the party government without dissolving parliament. There is time still.
The fact that the code of conduct was unclear had been clarified by the returning officers’ questions. One question was, what would be the role of the minister and member of the parliament during the observation of the victory day on 16 December across the country? The answer the EC gave in this regard should be written down. There will be more elections in the country. The ministers and members of the parliament will be adrift too if there is no planned policy. There might be many who despite their impartiality would not be able to uphold that.
The consciousness that the departing cabinet itself turns into an interim government-cum-caretaker in a developed parliamentary democracy should be grown. The EC should dispel the obscurities. The EC can issue a notification in this regard.