EC must earn public confidence

As the parliamentary polls to be held on 30 December draw nearer, the political parties have stepped up their election activities. After the debacle of a one-sided election on 5 January 2014, the people hope for an inclusive election this time. However, the role of the election commission hasn’t been reassuring.

This election is unique in the sense that it is being held under a political government and with the parliament remaining intact. In Bangladesh, elections under a political government have not proven to be credible, for which the caretaker government concept was devised and put into effect. With the abolition of a neutral caretaker government system, it has become a serious challenge to hold free, fair and neutral elections. The main crisis of Bangladesh’s politics, in fact, is the peaceful handover of power through fair elections after the completion of the parliament’s term.
That crisis looms large again in face of the impending 11th parliamentary polls. The election is generating both hope and concern. Will the voters be able to cast their votes undeterred? Will all the polling agents of all the candidates be able to remain present at the polling centres and carry out their duties? Will it be possible to prevent the casting of false votes, vote rigging and other such malpractices? Will the vote count and declaration of the results be fair and free of manipulations? Is there any guarantee that the candidates with the highest number of votes will actually be announced the winners?
It is the responsibility of the election commission to address such questions, apprehensions and uncertainties. Constitutionally, it is this independent institution that has the responsibility to conduct all election-related activities. It is unfortunate, though, that till now the commission has failed to display any such determination or neutrality.
After the schedule of the election was announced, the aspiring candidates have been vying for nomination from their respective parties and all sorts of activities have kicked off, but the election commission is apparently nonchalant about creating public confidence. It is not taking appropriate measures against violations of the election code. The media is rife with reports of such violations. Posters and other campaign material are still up all over the city and other places of the country, despite a deadline issued to remove these.
The government is taking all sorts of steps that go in favour of the ruling party Awami League’s potential candidates, thus removing all grounds for a level playing field. The election commission is not bothered with these matters.
The election commission must earn the trust of all, taking into cognizance the complaints of all contesting parties and addressing these complaints accordingly. BNP has written to the election commission, complaining that the returning officers were summoned to the prime minister’s office and briefed about playing a role in favour of Awami League. The election commission claims to have no knowledge of the matter.
The election commission must keep in mind that its role in all election activities is vital. It is a constitutional obligation for the commission to seek support from the public administration including the police and these institutions are also constitutionally bound to extend this support. It is through a firm and responsible stance that the commission can win the trust of all.