EC must enforce election code

With aspiring candidates submitting their nomination papers yesterday, Wednesday, one phase of the national election has ended. Once the nomination papers are sorted and candidatures are withdrawn, the campaigns will begin in full swing. Unfortunately, though it is prohibited to take out convoys to celebrate submission of nomination papers, many have been doing so. They are driving up in huge convoys to the returning officer’s office and leaving in a similar manner. Fortunately, there have been no clashes. This is a matter of relief.

The real challenge faced by the election commission (EC) will be when the campaigning formally takes off. The election has three phases – pre-voting, voting and post-voting. The commission has been lackadaisical so far in enforcing the election code of conduct. Before the election schedule was announced, the aspiring candidates had put up huge billboards and pasted posters all over, but the EC took no effective measures to have these removed. Around 95 per cent of the posters and festoons were of the ruling party. Given our prevailing political culture, the EC must exert itself sternly at every phase of the election, ensuring a level playing field for all contestants.

After 1990, this is the first time that an election under a political government will be held in the country with the participation of all parties. On top of that, the 10th parliament is still intact. The election laws maintain that all candidates must be given equal opportunities. However, ministers and members of parliament do get certain facilities from the state. If they enjoy such facilities even after candidature, that will be unfair for the other candidates. EC and the officials responsible for conducting the election must be firm in enforcing the election code of conduct and ensuring a level playing field for all. Members of the public administration and police will also have to rise above all bias and carry out their duties. Unless this is so, even an inclusive election may not necessarily be a free, fair and competitive one. The candidates and the parties must also act responsibly.

In his address to the nation, chief election commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda called upon all parties to display tolerance, respect and politically acceptable behaviour towards one another. In a meeting with the presiding officers, assistant presiding officers, polling officers and executive magistrates, the election guidelines were detailed. All concerned will have to be alert so that that no violence or untoward incident occurs during the election. The army will be deployed from 15 December to support the law enforcement. Their role in ensuring an environment conducive to the election is also important.

It is hoped that the law enforcement upholds the good and quells the bad. Action must be taken against anyone who violates the code of conduct. There can be no lenience in this regard. If the election commission carries out the lessons it has imparted to the election officers, then it will not be impossible to hold a free, fair and credible election.