S M Mizanur Rahman :
It is a test case for the government and the Election Commission (EC) to hold the three city corporation elections in Dhaka and Chittagong in a free, fair and impartial manner, say analysts.
They said if the ruling Awami League (AL) refrains itself from influencing the EC in conducting the elections in a credible way, the government and the EC’s role would be acceptable to all. Otherwise, it would be big disaster for them, they added.
Besides, they said, the polls’ results will also send people’s message to both the ruling AL and the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
Apart from this, they pointed out that BNP’s decision to take part in the city corporation polls would create a friendly atmosphere when the country has been passing through a critical time since January 5. As the leaders and workers of BNP-led 20-party alliance will concentrate to the elections, they will shun the path of violence by withdrawing the ongoing indefinite blockade, alongside hartal, the analysts hoped.
Talking to The New Nation, Serajul Islam Choudhury, Littérateur and Professor Emeritus of Dhaka University on Sunday said it is big chance for the government and the EC to hold credible elections, participated by all with a view to achieving people’s confidence.
“It’s a test case for the government and the EC. As people are now very conscious, the government doesn’t have any scope to in fluence the EC and members of law enforcers in manipulating the polls,” Serajul Islam Choudhury said.
However, he said, if the ruling AL try to influence the EC and the law enforcers to defeat the BNP-backed candidates in the electoral race and work in favour of its own candidates, the present situation will deteriorate further.
“Like me not only the city dwellers but also people across the country will have a close observation on the three city corporation elections. But I feel worry to say if the polls’ results go in favour of ruling party, BNP will intensify its ongoing programmes showing excuses of ‘massive vote rigging,” he said.
On the other hand, he said, if BNP-backed candidates win the polls the party will claim that its ongoing movement against the ruling AL is correct.
“As questions are being raised still about the independence and neutrality of the EC, it will have to take the challenge to achieve people’s trust as well as other political parties,” said the eminent educationist.
Talking to this reporter, Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), also termed the holding of city corporation elections as a big challenge for the government and the EC, saying they would have to prove that holding of a free, fair and impartial election under them is possible.
“Remaining in power if the government can ensure holding of a credible election to the three city corporations, its acceptability will increase both at home and abroad. But if any irregularities take place, the government will have to fall in big trouble,” he said.
Referring to the BNP’s intention to participate in the polls, he said it is very positive sign, especially when the party has remained isolated from the people by waging non-stop blockade, alongside frequent hartal since January 5.
“As leaders and workers of BNP-led 20-party alliance are now busy with the city corporation elections, they will also have a chance to interact with the common people. The government will have to create an atmosphere so that the BNP-led alliance can hold meetings and take out processions in favour of their candidates,” he said.
On March 18, the EC announced election schedules for Dhaka South and North and Chittagong city corporations fixing April 28 as the polling date.
The last date of filing nomination paper is March 29 while the scrutiny will take place on April 1 and 2. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is April 9.
The last election to the undivided Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) was held in April 2002. The tenures of the elected representatives expired in May, 2007. But no election could be held after that for various reasons.
The number of voters under 36 wards of Dhaka North City Corporation is 23,98,432 while under 57 wards of Dhaka South City Corporation the voters’ number is 18,90,951.
The number of voters under Chittagong City Corporation is 18,22,892.
