Denying eminent citizens’ proposals, neglecting general people’s aspirations and rejecting opposition political parties demand, the Election Commission (EC) on Sunday said there would be no modification of the electoral code of conduct. Amendment of the electoral code is essential for ensuring a level playing field for all, which is a basic precondition of free election.
The Commission which failed to ensure holding a fair election in city polls didn’t settle the allegation of breaching electoral code. We observe that the EC’s words and acts, demands and decisions, plan and priorities — all are set to serve the ruling party. Whereas the EC’s reform committee on law and rules placed various reform proposals on making changes to the electoral code of conduct to make it time-befitting.
It said prospective candidates or a member of a registered political party running for the polls would not be able to hold posts in the managing committees of educational institutions during the pre-election period as most of the polling officials are being recruited from different educational institutions. If the political leaders are in the posts of chairman or member in the managing committees of educational institutions, they would try to influence the polling officials directly or indirectly.
The Constitutional obligation of the EC is to hold free, fair, credible and participatory elections and for that the Constitution grants power to bring necessary reform and administrative change. What is most disturbing is the obedience of the EC to the government instead of the people but Constitution has not barred it to act independently. And the government is also controlling the EC by budgeting and other financial matters.
The preconditions of fair elections are to deploy the armed forces, ensure equal opportunity for all, not to use EVM for the nature of easy tempering and stop abuse of police power. Without changing RPO the hurry to purchase EVMs, widely opposed by most political parties, exposes the ill-intention of the EC.
