Editorial
CEC's misgivings
It would be well to pay heed
We feel the apprehension expressed by the Chief Election Commissioner that it is difficult to hold a free and fair election under a party government very significant. He made the comments while speaking on the "Role of the Election Commission in Conducting a Free and Fair Election" at a meeting organised by American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh recently.
And we feel that it makes the case for holding the parliamentary election under a non partisan dispensation so much stronger. We have had four successful elections under a caretaker system, which were acknowledged to have been held in free and fair manner by observers from home and abroad.
There are very good reasons for the expressing the worry, given that for the local administration it is very difficult to avoid the pressure exerted by the members of the parliament during elections. The matter is compounded by the fact that under the current constitutional provisions the parliament will not be dissolved at the expiry of its term and that the MPs will continue in office during the next election. And the fact that the EC has to employ a large workforce for election duty locally who are not under the jurisdiction of the commission lends the situation to exploitation by the participants.
However, while it is true that the election process and the officials conducting elections may be subjected to various kinds of influence and pressure, we feel that the EC cannot take this as fait accompli. The election rules, which can be improved further, are fairly adequate and empower the EC to take all necessary measures against those trying to disrupt the election or are not playing by the rules.
The government would do well to heed the counsel. The CEC has hit the nail on the head when he said that the EC should be extended all the support by all the stakeholders. However, it is also for the EC to stamp its authority and not feel beholden to anyone in the conducting the elections and running its own affairs.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments