SM Mizanur Rahman :Different political parties as well as people expect that the Election Commission (EC) would prove itself as neutral and an independent constitutional body through conducting the upcoming Municipality Polls in a credible manner, say experts.As per the present schedule, elections to 236 municipalities of the country out of a total of 323 will be held on December 30 this year.The experts said if the EC failed to prove itself as a neutral and independent body in holding the polls, the country is likely to see a stormy politics again with the beginning of the New Year 2016.For the first time in the country’s local government elections, mayor candidates are going to contest the Municipality Polls with party symbols like boat and sheaf of paddy. Both Awami League and Bangladesh Nationalist Party have taken these elections as a prestige issue.Talking to The New Nation on Tuesday, Professor Imtiaz Ahmed, Department of International Relations, University of Dhaka and Local Government expert Dr. Tofail Ahmed said that the previous experiences do not indicate that the EC would be able to exercise its power to free itself from government influence in conducting the Municipality Polls.However, they said time has not come yet to raise questions about EC’s activities and hoped that braving all odds this time this constitutional body will play neutral role in a bid to achieve people’s trust. Professor Imtiaz Ahmed said being experienced in the January 5 general elections and the Upazila Parishad polls last year, it can’t be said right now that the EC’s neutrality andindependence ought to be visible through its actions. As a credible election must have a high degree of confidence of all stakeholders the EC can gain this high degree of confidence through its planning and operation in during the coming Municipality Polls, he said.He said, “We all people are waiting to see how and in what way the EC holds the Municipality Polls.” Dr. Tofail Ahmed termed the EC’s rejection of requests of both ruling Awami League and BNP as a positive sign.”EC’s rejection does mean it is now free from government influence as well as muscle power. If the EC is able to hold the Municipality Polls in a free, fair and credible manner, its acceptability will increase,” he said, adding otherwise, the situation may take a serious turn. “As political parties and EC are now taking preparations from their own perspectives for holding the elections, we are also observing the overall situation closely. We are hopeful about free, fair and impartial polls,” he said Dr. Tofail said the EC is an independent constitutional body in the exercise of its functions and subject only to the Constitution and any other law. “The Commission may authorise its Chairman or any of its members or any of its officers to exercise and perform all or any of its powers and functions under the law,” he added.Meanwhile, BNP Spokesperson Asaduzzaman Ripon on Tuesday termed the EC as ‘incapable, submissive and spineless’ saying it will not be able to hold upcoming Municipality Polls in a free and fair manner.”We have submitted several proposals to the EC but it is very unfortunate that it did not take any measures to resolve the issues,” he said while briefing journalists at BNP central office at Nayapaltan in the city.Election Commissioner M Shah Newaz yesterday said that stern action would be taken against those who would violate the code of conduct for electoral process.”We have come to know that many mayor and councillor candidates have not stopped electioneering campaign. The EC is going to take legal action against them,” he told journalists at his office at EC secretariat in city.He said violating the electoral code of conduct if any candidate wins the polls, his candidature would be cancelled.”Besides, if the EC officials are found guilty of playing a biased role, stern action would also be taken against them. No one will be spared if found guilty of breaching the neutrality,” Shah Newaz warned.Replying to a query, he said if any candidate wants to hold indoor meeting he will have to inform the members of law enforcing agencies before 24 hours.Article 126 of the Constitution and Articles 4 and 5 of the Representation of the People Order, 1972 provide that it shall be the duty of all executive authorities to assist the Election Commission in the discharge of its functions. The Commission has the power to require any person or authority to perform such functions or render such assistance for the purpose of electron as it may direct.
