Faruque Ahmed
As the country is reeling under continued blockade and hartals along with widespread violence, deaths and destructions demanding a mid-term parliamentary election, the government has announced the mayoral elections in metropolis Dhaka and Chittgong introducing a fear of further escalation of violence in the country.
Observers believe the reason behind the move appears to consolidate the government’s grip on both the cities by electing ruling party mayors while keeping the opposition out of the race, similar to January 5 parliamentary election in 2014.
It is now clear that the government is not bothered whether or not the opposition would take part in the polls and the mobilization that is now under way shows the ruling party is keen to keep the opposition on the run and take home the harvest in the name of yet another election.
City Corp polls to divert attention
Dhaka City Corporation was run by a BNP mayor; although election to city corporations is non-political, from 2002 and new election to the city corporation was overdue since 2007. But ever since the Awami League government came to power in January 2009, the government avoided holding the election fearing its defeat to the opposition.
Two years back, the government had split the Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) into South City and North City Corporations and appointed two administrators to run them. However the action was mainly targeted to removing the incumbent mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka, a BNP politician.
In the new move, the government is seemingly determined to elect its own party men to both the city houses to liquidate the opposition’s existence in the city governments at a time when most of their leaders and workers are either in jail or on the run and are in the least position to fight it out openly. Their potential candidates have been accused of various criminal charges by the police under government instructions including hurling bombs in the streets, killing ruling party cadres and policemen on duty, killing and maiming innocent passengers and pedestrians by attacking buses and cars by patrol bombs and so on and they are now either in jail or are on the run. They are likely to be banned by courts to contest any public offices.
It appears that Prime Minister herself took the decision recently in a dramatic hurry to shift the focus from the ongoing political crisis to city electoral politics. It is not yet clear how the opposition will react to the government move. But the arrest of Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna who had vowed earlier not to allow the mayoral election go without contest, may be an indicator how the government is serious to keep the polls free from any formidable challenger.
Election Commission’s gimmick
Election to Chittagong City Corporation, also run now by a BNP supported mayor is scheduled for July this year. But it will be held earlier this time to restore government control in the city as part of regaining its hold in port city politics.
Acting on the government instruction, Chief election commissioner (CEC) Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad has already gave notice of mobilization of the polls to the three city houses of Dhaka South, Dhaka North and in the port city. He said people want these elections and whether or not all political parties take part, all three polls will take place as per the schedules. He made contradictory remarks in the opening batting saying people want polls but if again people don’t want them, the polls will go as per schedules.
He told reporters last week that Dhaka city dwellers were ‘eagerly waiting’ to elect new mayors and the text and tenor of his statement showed this election may be a total replication of the 2014 January 5 voter less election in which winners would know the result before the election is held.
The CEC also hoped the mayoral polls will be peaceful. But it is also in contradiction to the ground reality. People wonder where is the election environment in the country and especially in the two major cities where scores of transport vehicles are torched daily and petrol bombs and arson are killing people in streets, roads and highways throughout the country.
Moreover the ongoing violence is taking place in demand for parliamentary election and if the government is at all responsive to people’s desire, date for the parliamentary election should be announced soon rather making the situation further volatile by pushing people to fight in the streets during the mayoral polls.
CEC’s questionable actions
Rakibuddin Ahmed said during January 5 parliamentary election he had tried to bring all parties but not all joined. This time he would also try to involve all, but non-participation by anybody or any party would not bring the process to a halt. Here again question arises whether election is a democratic right of the people or the choice of some political leaders to hold it as and when it suits their purpose. Moreover, why is the CEC letting the independent election commission to be instrumental to partisan election allowing all and sundry to question the integrity of the CEC as an honest broker to hold election.
Many people blamed him for the political crisis that the country is now reeling under since 2014 Jan 5 sham elections. They also fear his partisan outlook may add new area of crisis in city government politics this time to continue it in the next few years to come.
Besides, question arise about use of holding such elections without any public support and also when legitimately elected mayors of Rajshahi, Barisal and Gazipur are facing removal on charges of crimes for their participation in ongoing democracy movement.
Politicization of administration
Reports said the government has asked the police officials of those districts to file formal charges against them showing their involvement in violence. Such complaints are under process now at the home ministry while the LGRD ministry is nominating party candidates to the post of panel mayors. They will be given temporary charge soon to replace the elected mayors who came from BNP politics.
Reports said such elected mayors of Sylhet City and Habigonj City Corporations have already been temporarily removed on charges of their involvement to former Finance Minister SAMS Kibria’s killing. They are already replaced by ruling party men.
People wonder when the government decision is the final word why the CEC is going to stage an election to befool the nation. At least avoiding such election would have saved public money and may be more election related chaos and killing during the election chaos that would follow. Moreover CEC owes an explanation to the nation how he would uphold the independence of the Election Commission and his own integrity beyond public doubts.
Source: Weekly Holiday
