EC's chance to regain trust

Debates over a level-playing field have ensued after the candidates began canvassing ahead of the elections to two Dhaka city corporations. Leaders of the ruling Awami League have termed illogical the remarks of the chief election commissioner that members of parliament can neither take part in electioneering nor act as election coordinators. BNP leaders on the other hand have alleged that their activists were being threatened and their candidates and supporters are facing obstacles to organise their campaigns. 

Amid these circumstances, Saturday's meeting between Awami League and the Election Commission was significant. The AL leaders argued that MPs were not enjoying government privileges as they did not hold office of profit. However, the EC maintained that MPs can neither take part in electioneering nor act as election coordinators.

According to the City Corporation (Election Code of Conduct) Rules 2016, the very important persons enjoying the government privileges are not allowed to take part in city election campaign. In their 11 years in power, the AL never sought to change this article. So they cannot oppose it now, just before the polls. As long as these rules are in place, they are bound to abide by them.

We find the EC's decision very logical. But we want to add that only barring the ministers and MPs from engaging in election activities won't guaranty free and fair polls. The campaigns are only a part of the polls. The authorities have to ensure a congenial environment so that the voters can go to the centres without fear and cast their votes.

The candidates name their polling agents for the sake of transparency. However, the opposition could not enjoy this facility during the elections of the recent past. We have seen that their agents were either barred to go to the centre or have been forced out. The 2015 city polls were farcical.

It remains to be seen if the EC can hold a free and fair election. The sad reality is that they could not ensure people's right to vote. The EC has almost no credibility and this is their time to earn back public trust. Election commissioner Mahbub Talukder at a recent workshop said he did not want to see a repetition of the polls in Gazipur, Khulna or Barisal city corporations. The whole country feels so, too.

The ruling party and their opponents had once come together to oust the autocratic government. But later they chose to follow in the same footsteps, destabilising the whole election process. An election is not only a candidate winning it, rather it means the people's right to vote being established.

We hope the EC will regain its turst with the 30 January city corporation elections.