Staff Reporter :Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) on Monday claimed that the role of the Election Commission (EC) during the recent city corporations’ election was unfair and debatable.The non-government anti-graft watchdog has recommended reformation of city corporation election act.The organization published their report on the recently held city corporation elections at its Dhanmondi office in city on Monday. Member of TIB Trustee Board and former Chief Election Commissioner Dr ATM Shamsul Huda, TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman, TIB Deputy Executive Director Dr Sumaiya Khayer and Research and Policy Director Md Rafiqul Hasan, were present, among others.TIB presented a research paper which was presented by Research and Policy Department Manager Md Rezaul Karim in association with Programme Manager Dipu Roy and Taslima Akter. According to the TIB report, the election commission totally failed to apply their fair policy to conduct a fair election. TIB also claimed that the election commission showed a soft attitude to the government supported candidates.According to the report, every candidate spent huge amount of taka more than three times, by violating the instruction of the EC, said the TIB report.The report reveals that three mayoral candidates of DNCC spent additional Tk 20 lakh to 3.6 crore for the election though the EC allowed a candidate to spend Tk 50 lakh. Three mayoral candidates of DSCC spent additional Tk 1.5 crore to 3.5 crore against the limit of Tk 30 lakh. Besides, three mayoral candidates of CCC spent additional Tk 6.47 crore (maximum) against the designated amount of Tk 30 lakh.About 58 percent of candidates also violated election rules by providing food and drinks during the election, while 42 percent by conducting campaign after the stipulated time.The study says although the city election is a local body ones, both the ruling Awami League and BNP openly supported candidates, while Awami League forced their 336 party men to pull out.It shows that BNP did not provide polling agents in many polling centres despite having a peaceful environment and it boycotted polls without any discussion with BNP-backed supporters.About EC’s role, the study says the Commission has failed to play its due role in holding a free and fair election as it did not take any strong action against the candidates who violated election rules, and did not take effective measures to resist vote rigging.Speaking at the press conference, TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said the EC did not play its due role in the elections due to its poor leadership.About the role of political parties, he said as both Awami League and opposition BNP played questionable role during the city polls, the voters were cheated.TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman expressed his grave concern over the failure of the Election Commission in holding fair and peaceful city corporation polls.TIB Executive Director said, the elections in three city corporations were marked by unprecedented manipulation, violence and conflicts. Voters were barred from casting votes, and the failure of the law enforcers to check it was noticeable.In this context, the TIB executive called upon all the political parties to exercise restraint and remain vigilant against the undemocratic practices.Iftekharuzzaman said the recently completed three city corporation polls had come under questions due to widespread irregularities under the political shelter and the use of muscle power.”We are deeply frustrated at the failure of a constitutional institution like Election Commission (EC) which could not enforce law and play a neutral role,” said Iftekharuzzaman.Iftekharuzzaman alleged that the law enforcers failed by remaining inactive instead of helping the voters in casting their votes. Beside EC did not take steps against muscle power and violation of law. This EC and the law enforcers curtailed the people’s voting rights and both the organisations embarrassed themselves locally and internationally, Iftekharuzzaman added.Iftekharuzzaman expressed apprehension that a new risk of a conflicting political situation had been created again in Bangladesh over the controversial three city corporation elections.
