Editorial
Govt handling of EC request indefensible
We still hope for peaceful polls
We are surprised, indeed shocked at the non-cooperative attitude of the authorities toward the Election Commission on the issue of a deployment of the army at the upcoming Narayanganj City Corporation election. It was citizens' expectation that the army would be in place to ensure a free and fair voting. More importantly, when the EC had written to the authorities that the soldiers would be required to ensure a smooth voting, it became the responsibility of the government to heed the request under the provisions of Article 126 of the Constitution, which clearly states that it is the duty of the executive authorities to assist the EC in the discharge of its functions. The government has failed to carry out that constitutional duty.
The Election Commission is perfectly justified in saying that it will take no responsibility for any trouble that might affect today's election. The government's failure to meet the EC's request shows how fraught relations between the two have become over the NCC election. It is the last thing the people of the country wished to see. By treating the EC in cavalier fashion, the government has sent out a bad message -- that despite all its professions of having an independent EC organize elections in the country, it is not serious about the matter.
The home minister said yesterday that army deployment was not necessary for the Narayanganj election. This was the first official reaction to EC's request for army deployment to come 13 days after the EC had in writing requested the government for it. What is more baffling is that the home ministry, in a circular on October 20, informed the EC of army deployment in some form. This is self-contradictory. More fundamentally, it is not for the home minister to decide whether army deployment was necessary. It was for the EC to do so. And constitutionally the government was obliged to meet the EC's requirement.
We will still expect the election to be held in a trouble-free environment, enough to allay fears that certain elements might want to disrupt it. But assuming that the people of Narayanganj are unable to exercise their right of ballot freely and without fear, the blame will lie with the government.
The EC's experience over army deployment is likely to significantly damage the government's credibility.
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