Editorial
The Narayanganj polls
Create a peaceful atmosphere from now
The tension in the run-up to the mayoral elections in Narayanganj is palpable. With two of the three candidates for the office asking for a deployment of the army before the polls scheduled for October, it is clear that the administration has a tough job on its hands. There is too the rather negative legacy associated with politics in the port city. Over the last few years, with local politicians vying for supremacy in the city, often driven by a propensity to violence, conditions have clearly worsened. Obviously, there must be measures in place in order to reassure people that the elections will be conducted in a free, impartial and uninterrupted manner and that the results will be honoured by all candidates.
In view of the many turf wars fought in Narayanganj over these many years, all precautions must be taken to ensure a peaceful election. Again, the political parties must keep their candidates and their followers on a leash. It is a situation where godfathers have long played a pivotal role in the politics of the city. That has naturally meant the rise of gangs and goon squads whose job has been to try to intimidate their rivals, sometimes to devastating effect. Besides, factionalism within the political parties has always been a matter of concern for citizens. This can be observed from the way two of the candidates are vying for the support of the ruling Awami League. As for the BNP, despite the candidate being its Narayanganj district president, there are many who have not taken kindly to his candidacy. The risks, therefore, are huge. But if the elections are to be credible, these risks need to be minimized and even neutralized.
This is where the administration, including the Election Commission, comes in. Strict measures to prevent any breakdown in law and order must be in place between now and election day. It must be ensured that the political parties desist from interfering in the polls and turn them into a microcosm of the current debilitating national politics. Most importantly, the law enforcers must come down hard on any individual or group found muddying the waters. It is a job which must be undertaken now, in the interest of Narayanganj and its people.
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