Sagar Biswas :
The much publicised first-phase election in 721 Union Parishads [UP] will begin today [Tuesday] morning amid apprehension of widespread violence, vote rigging and force occupying of polling centres.
In the latest incident, a chairman candidate of UP election Shanti Tripura, 37, was gunned down at Gyalenga union of Ruma upazila in Bandarban district in the small hours of Monday. He was also a member of Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity [PCJSS].
“After preliminary investigation, we have found that he was killed due to rivalry with the opponents over participation in the UP election,” Officer-in-Charge of Ruma Police Station Md Shariful Islam said.
At least nine persons, including two chairman candidates, were killed and more than 1,000 received injuries in pre-poll violence in different parts of the country in last 27 days. Besides, dozens of houses were either ransacked or set on fire by the rivals following the clashes over electoral hostility, the Police Headquarters sources said.
In this backdrop, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmed on Monday said, “Actually, poll violence is part of our character. We have been bearing this characteristic for a long time. And so, it is hard for us to control the situation. It will take time…”
“We [EC] are dependable on other state organs for holding an election. For this reason, the power of EC is marginal. We don’t get expected cooperation in many cases. So, the violence, fight, anarchy are going on. The EC is paying high importance on Monday night. We will remain alert so that none get chance to seal on ballot papers in the night,” he further said.
Explaining the reason behind the violence, the CEC said, “Every candidate thinks himself a competent contender. The candidate who is comparatively powerful, he considers himself more competent than other contestants. And that is the problem.”
In fact, the situation was so volatile that about 54 chairperson candidates, most of them are backed by ruling Awami League, have already won without facing any contest. It was almost impossible for the contenders of opponent parties, including BNP, to file nomination papers in several UPs, although the Election Commission had assured peaceful situation ahead of polls.
In this circumstance, the voting would be held in 721 UPs today and in 11 UPs on March 23. Besides, the election will be held in Neehla and Hoaikang UPs under Teknaf upzila on March 27. In most areas, the ballot-fight will be held between Awami League nominated and its rebel candidates. After that, the BNP candidates will appear as potential contestants. There is no candidate from Jamaat-e Islami, as it has lost registration.
In the first phase, around 3,000 contenders will fight for the posts of ‘chairman’ where about 26,000 candidates will contest for the posts of ‘member’. Apart from them, about 7,500 candidates will fight for reserved seat of members. A total of 1.9 crore voters are expected to exercise their voting rights in this election.
“We’ll not tolerate any terrorism during election. We have already directed the law enforcement agencies to take stern action against the persons, who will be found responsible for violence, whoever they are. We will also take action against the law enforcers, if they fail to perform duty,” Election Commissioner Md Shahnewaz said.
Urging the voters to exercise their franchise, the Commissioner also said, “There will be striking force on the voting day. So, you all go to the vote centres. Besides, magistrates have already been appointed in the electoral areas. If the poll officials come under attack or there is any incident of violence; we will not hesitate to take serious action.”
In the meanwhile, the components of Awami League-led 14-party alliance have expressed severe discontent over the pre-poll situation. They have alleged that the issue of UP election was not discussed in 14-party forum. Besides, the ruling Awami league has fielded its own party men in different areas ignoring the desire of alliance members.
The main opposition in the parliament Jaitya Party has also expressed dissatisfaction over the role of Awami League, raising allegation against that the ruling party for creating abnormal situation.
On the other hand, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party [BNP] registered their protest against the activities of ruling party men from the very beginning.
