THE rift between the Chief Election Commissioner and an Election Commissioner has deepened further over the issue of level playing field. A day after CEC KM Nurul Huda’s comment that his colleague Mahbub Talukdar did not speak the truth about level playing field, Mahbub next day hit back, and said the CEC “struck at the core of the existence” of an Election Commissioner by making such remarks.
The face-off between the two comes amid civil society’s concerns about the absence of level playing field and continued attacks on the opposition camps in different parts of the country. The Jatiya Oikyafront and other opposition parties have long alleged that a congenial polls environment is absent, although the ruling Awami League said the election field is very much level.
On the ground, however, at least 13 BNP and Jatiya Oikyafront candidates and 900 of their supporters have been injured in attacks allegedly by ruling party men since December 10, the day the campaign began. AL men allegedly attacked campaigns and motorcades of at least 28 BNP and Oikyafront candidates. Police detained around 255 BNP men during the time, according to media reports. At least three were killed and several others ruling party activists were also injured in intra-party feuds I different parts of the country.
We think, the CEC and the Commissioner could avoid the tug-of-war over the level playing field, if they had tried. People may lose confidence on EC for this sort of unwanted incident. There may be a difference of opinion between the Commissioners. But why its outburst will be so open? The Commission, however, has taken some initiatives to ensure level playing field which is appreciating. The CEC instructed polls officials to announce accurate results and asked not to let down the people since they put trust in the Commission.
While it appears that the EC is doing some positive work it must do more to ensure that there is a level playing field for all. It has the tremendous ability to ensure that a fair election could be held. So it must do everything within its power to stop anything which would lead to an asymmetrical abuse of power by any single party. The nation counts on it.
The face-off between the two comes amid civil society’s concerns about the absence of level playing field and continued attacks on the opposition camps in different parts of the country. The Jatiya Oikyafront and other opposition parties have long alleged that a congenial polls environment is absent, although the ruling Awami League said the election field is very much level.
On the ground, however, at least 13 BNP and Jatiya Oikyafront candidates and 900 of their supporters have been injured in attacks allegedly by ruling party men since December 10, the day the campaign began. AL men allegedly attacked campaigns and motorcades of at least 28 BNP and Oikyafront candidates. Police detained around 255 BNP men during the time, according to media reports. At least three were killed and several others ruling party activists were also injured in intra-party feuds I different parts of the country.
We think, the CEC and the Commissioner could avoid the tug-of-war over the level playing field, if they had tried. People may lose confidence on EC for this sort of unwanted incident. There may be a difference of opinion between the Commissioners. But why its outburst will be so open? The Commission, however, has taken some initiatives to ensure level playing field which is appreciating. The CEC instructed polls officials to announce accurate results and asked not to let down the people since they put trust in the Commission.
While it appears that the EC is doing some positive work it must do more to ensure that there is a level playing field for all. It has the tremendous ability to ensure that a fair election could be held. So it must do everything within its power to stop anything which would lead to an asymmetrical abuse of power by any single party. The nation counts on it.
