Election under emergency
The British Minister Mrs. Blears told the press in Sylhet that "election under emergency is difficult but not impossible".
A similar view was also expressed by the previous High Commissioner Anwar Chowdhury before his departure from Dhaka. This affirmation of the British government clearly indicates that the UK wants to see a free, fair and credible election in Bangladesh and smooth transition to democratic rule but not at the cost of people's lives and properties. The British, the closest development partner of Bangladesh, very well know the ground reality here, and do not want return of the pre-one-eleven situation of killing, hartal, intimidation of voters etc.
The present CTG's main task is to hold a free, fair and credible election keeping in view the safety and security of people's lives and properties. If full withdrawal of emergency compromises the security of lives, the CTG should take adequate measures before doing so.
The common people want to go to the polling stations without fear and cast their votes freely. The CTG should ensure that. People are waiting for a change where they can pursue their daily activities without interference of extortionists under the next elected government.
***
It is a great example for us that emergency rule could be positive for conducting a free and fair election. From the recently held city corporation polls, we realise that people's participation was self motivated and spontaneous. It may not be an exaggeration to say that people got at least a peaceful environment to go to the polling centres.
We have the experience of the past elections. In those times, the voters faced, more or less, pressure from the cadres of some candidates which was, I think, fairly absent in the recently held polls.
As we(most of the Bangladeshis) do not follow the rules and regulations unless we face strict measures, this type of emergency rule will help the electoral process.
Simultaneously, the government should ensure that the law enforcers would remain neutral under all circumstances.
Ali Ahmed, MSS student, SUST, Sylhet
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments