Editorial
Deferment of municipal polls
EC's waning independence worrying
IN yet another self-diminishing move, the Election Commission (EC) has postponed elections to three municipalities scheduled on 8th September at the government's diktat.
The EC defended its move saying that as per electoral laws, the LGRD ministry creates the ground for the polls, while the EC only conducts the election.
The LGRD ministry insisted on halting the polls until redrawing of the boundaries of municipalities.
The argument that EC has deferred the election at the instance of the LGRD ministry raises question about the wisdom of its having declared the election schedule in the first place.
One would have thought it had announced the election schedule after due diligence and deliberations. If the EC did not do so, then it is reflective of its incompetence. If, on the other hand, it changed its mind at the LGRD ministry's dictate, then it has wilfully abdicated its independence.
This is very unfortunate as well as self-demeaning for the EC to be completely oblivious of public perceptions about what its image should be like. Through this action, it has dashed the public's hope of reposing trust in EC's independence on which the prospect of free and fair election hinges critically.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments