Editorial Desk :
Those who joined the Election Commission know honestly that they cannot fight government in power to conduct free election, and free election does not depend on the Election Commission.
The government officials listen to the sitting government to save their jobs and in addition the extra benefit for sabotaging the popular election. The previous Election Commission was, though, nothing but a rubber stamp, it’s Chief admitted while leaving that he did not get cooperation of the local level government officials. In other words the election robbery was safely committed. So-called political parties also could not have the will or leadership to resist the allurement of corruption.
In this background it is meaningless for Election Commission to ask the political parties to arrive at an understanding over the election matter. It is constitutionally sacred duty of the Election Commission to maintain the sanctity of election. The election is people’s consecrated right and not a party affair.
Purposeless discussion was also held with some academics. Others found it meaningless.
Strength must come from the Commission. Such vacuum exercise by the Commission exposes no confidence among their members as how to stop election
robbery by the government officials.
That whether the Commission can act independently as required under the Constitution is for the Commission to be sure of and assure the sceptics. The Commission members are to explain what steps they are capable of taking to prevent the government machinery ready to steal the people’s election.
Against their own bought weapons and their paid public servants and in the absence of political leadership the people appear paralysed but furious. The people want to know how the EC will justify their existence when it cannot be honest and faithful to the Constitution.
They have every reason to believe that will not succeed
while others miserably failed unless the Commission can show how the election will not be a farce.
No change to have a people’s government can be expected from either Awami League or so-called main opposition BNP. It is clear to all that election rigging is the most organised affair of the sitting government. BNP also tried when it was in power. Yet, BNP should be given the credit that under pressure of other parties under the leadership of Awami League, they had introduced the non-party caretaker government system for election time. The Awami League changed the system to remain in power in full force without dissolving. A unique example has been set up not to be found anywhere under parliamentary system.
The bureaucratic government has the greater vested interest to make the Election Commission good for nothing. They do not believe in election and cannot allow for changing their bureaucratic government.
Last time conducting the election was the business of the police. Armed forces remained at a safe distance. The election rigging is now a bureaucratic responsibility. The “politicians” are used as a cover.
Bangladesh was not born under our political leadership so in Bangladesh we are fighting for our democratic rights like in the sordid past.
It is for the Election Commission to decide now if it’s independence is secure in holding independently free election in the face government’s opposition. By discussing with others they will not be sure of their own ability and determination not to allow a rigged election to be announced as free election. In fact they must make their position sure now.
In the process of creation of Bangladesh we have proved beyond doubt that we are a people of brave in words and coward in deeds. Those who roared like tigers were the first to leave us.
