Despite the Election Commission’s claim of neutrality and ensuring a level playing field ahead of the municipal polls, the BNP has made serious allegations of its highly partisan role.
The ruling Awami League has dismissed the allegation, saying it is a mere propaganda of its main political opposition which boycotted the last general elections in 2014.
Although electioneering is on in full swing with the election watchdog’s scrutiny having ended yesterday, political camps have resorted to mud-slinging in the battle for votes scheduled for December 30.
For the first time, the local government election is going to be held partisan except for the posts of councillor.
The mayoral candidates will contest the electoral race with party symbols.
Political analysts say the blame-game will worsen the election atmosphere which ultimately will not benefit anyone and rather weaken the electoral and political system of the country.
Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif said: “The BNP propagates before every election that fair election would not be held. In Barisal City Corporation election, the BNP alleged that the vote had been rigged but finally the BNP-backed candidate won the poll.”
However, after the election the party said the election was fair. “Resorting to falsehood is BNP’s habit and that is why its allegations should not be taken into cognisance,” he said.
BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said: “The Election Commission’s role has not been impartial from the very beginning. It is totally partisan … It is clear that a free and fair municipal poll is not possible under this commission.”
Fakhrul, however, said a little effort by the EC could hold a fair poll.
Meanwhile, Election Commissioner Shah Nawaz said they had taken all necessary measures so that no one is forced to boycott the local body polls this time.
“We are alert as we have learnt lessons from the elections we have organised in the past. That is why I am saying we have taken all measures so that no one is forced to quit the election race, unless he or she does it deliberately,” he told reporters at the office of the EC Secretariat.
He also said: “We can assure you that the EC will monitor everything everywhere so that a free and fair election is held.”
Shah Nawaz said the commission will have nothing to do if anyone boycotts the election deliberately.
Ataur Rahman, president of Bangladesh Political Scientists Association, said different political parties are participating in the election with different purposes and that is why they are making contradictory statements.
There is a perception that the Awami League will take most of the seats and consolidate its strength more in the grassroots level while the BNP has no other option but to take part in the polls, he added.
“This will basically be a pandemonium which will invite more instability and unrest in the grassroots and, more significantly, the political system in the lowest level will weaken,” he said.
Ataur also said the EC has already been tested as it failed to deliver any fair election including the January 5 election and last Dhaka and Chittagong city corporation polls.
Afsan Chowdhury, a political commentator, said both the Awami League and the BNP are passing through crisis moments although they are different in nature.
He said the BNP has already been withered away. To stay in the political field, the BNP has to participate in the election. No matter what the voting result is, the participation will charge up the party leaders and activists, he noted.
Afsan said the Awami League is also in crisis, especially for the security concerns. “The Awami League will try its best to win maximum seats to prove that people are with them.”
About the EC, he said people have a perception that the Election Commission is weak.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
