Outgoing US Ambassador in Dhaka Marcia Bernicat hoped that elections in the city corporations and national one will be held in a “free, fair, credible and inclusive” manner. After her meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda on July 26th, the US envoy said in every democracy there is example of irregularities that occur in elections and their goal is to improving that process.
She said she is always hopeful and optimistic as Bangladesh has the history of holding free, fair and credible elections. The US envoy who was criticized for commenting on Bangladesh election issues said criticism is part and parcel of healthy democracy. Bernicat said that anyone had the right to say that the US Ambassador does not know what she is talking about as it was the beauty of democracy. She said her government responded that she is not speaking for herself but she is speaking for the US government.
Apparently reacting to US Ambassador’s comments on Bangladesh elections, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader earlier stressed avoiding such remarks that might hurt friendly relations between the two countries. Bernicat commended the holding of elections to Khulna and Gazipur city corporations but expressed concern by reports of election “irregularities, including ballot box stuffing, intimidation” of political players, polling agents before the end of voting. She also expressed satisfaction over the lower level of violence and wider participation of political parties in the elections.
Merely hoping that elections will be held in a free and fair manner is by itself a rather vague statement. The US is a global power and can do much to ensure the availability of a level playing field for the upcoming elections. But by simply giving comments which are not backed up by any sort of actions is meaningless.
The US can mediate between the parties to ensure that a compromise is reached before the coming polls so that they are held in a neutral and free environment. This reaching of a compromise is essential as our politicians don’t know how to come to a common view without clashing horns, especially for holding a free and fair polls.
Far more important than the holding of an inclusive polls is the ability to hold a free and fair one. It is beyond the understanding of the simple minded US Ambassador through blackmail and bribing seats it is possible to make an election inclusive for opportunists. But that is not fair election for true representation of the voters.
The US Ambassador has only betrayed her ignorance about free election under parliamentary system. What is more objectionable is she has underestimated the political consciousness of our intelligentsia. Under the parliamentary system parliamentary election does not take place without dissolving the parliament. So election under an elected government is out of the question. No Election Commission can hold free election under parliamentary system with the elected government in power.
After widespread abuse of police power and violation of election conduct in the mayoral elections by the followers of the government there is no room for honest belief that the Election Commission is in a position to hold free and fair election.
