Sushasoner Jonno Nagarik (SUJAN), a platform of civil society members to observe election activities, on Saturday said the Election Commission has violated the existing law by reshuffling the field-level administration, which is not acceptable by any means.
SUJAN made the remarks in a statement issued yesterday following the EC’s decision of reshuffle, including important transfers, promotions and postings, in the EC’s field-level officials ahead of the national and major city elections.
“We’ve come to know through media reports that Chief Election Commissioner and EC Secretary have taken some important decisions about reshuffling in the important administrative posts bypassing the other Commission members,” the statement said.
It said, “Not only that the due have completely ignored the Commission’s committee on appointment, and transfer and promotion which is led by an Election Commissioner. It is straight violation of existing law and country’s apex court order. So, we are very much concerned about the issue.”
It continued: “The EC is a Constitutional institution, which will ensure free, impartial and acceptable elections for the sake of people. And for that reason, the Commission has got adequate power… The EC is a combined body where five members of the Commission will execute their power combinedly.”
“As per the Representation of the People Order – 1972, the Commission can give authority to its Chairman or any one of its members to discharge a specific duty. That means, the CEC cannot take any decision alone, the entire Commission does not give him such authority.”
The statement further said: “So, the Commission will have to take combined decision about any appointment and transfer of officials in line with the apex court order. The transfer, promotion and posting of EC officials are closely related to ‘election activities’ of the Commission. If it is not followed properly, the Commission will violate its own law, which is not acceptable by any means.”
Earlier on Wednesday, the opposition BNP said the reshuffle in the EC’s field-level administration ahead of the national and major city elections is part of a far-reaching evil design to influence the polls.
“A major reshuffle has been made in the EC’s field-level administration but the head of the Commission’s committee on appointment, and transfer and promotion, Mahbub Talukder, who is also an Election Commissioner, has no knowledge about it,” BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said.
He said, “Mahbub Talukder has sent a note to the EC Secretary in this regard. The people have got surprised with the sensational incitement… A big question has arisen in public mind whether the mass-transfer was made ached of the 11th parliamentary polls and the city polls billed for December next with an evil motive. We think the changes in the EC’s field administration are part of far-reaching blueprint.”
Echoing the same, Vice Chairman of BNP Major [retd] Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said, “The government has constituted an ‘obedient’ Election Commission with an intention to operate next elections as per their desire… It will not be possible to hold a free and fair election under the present government.”
