Demanding security of voters alongside political leaders and activists, some of the experts alleged that the Election Commission was turning a blind eye on such attacks and refusing to acknowledge complaints from victims

 

The Election Commission (EC) must take stern action against those responsible for attacking election campaigns in order to put an end to the rampant breaching of the electoral code of conduct, ensuring a level playing field for the next general election, experts and politicians said.

 

The observation was stated at a seminar titled“The Challenges of Electoral Integrity in Bangladesh”, organized by Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) – a body working for good governance – at the BIISS auditorium in Dhaka on Tuesday.

 

Opposition party, alliance candidates, and their supporters are in fear of more attacks by ruling party leaders and activists with the election looming closer, they observed, citing the increasing attacks on the Jatiya Oikya Front and BNP that those parties alleged were carried out by the Awami League.

 

Demanding security of voters alongside political leaders and activists, some of the experts alleged that the Election Commission was turning a blind eye on such attacks and refusing to acknowledge complaints from victims.

 

CGS President M Ataur Rahman said the Election Commission must proactively work against these attacks.

 

Also Read- Polls violence: Over 91 injured, offices attacked

 

“The Commission is not a court that it has to wait for complaints from attacked candidates,” he said, “We must ensure that this election does not fail like the last.”

 

Former election commissioner Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain claimed the Commission does not know how to handle the current situation.

 

“People are losing their faith on the electoral system, which is a big threat to democracy,” he observed,“If the Commission fails to hold a peaceful election,the consequences will be dire”

 

Former inspector general of police, M Enamul Huq, said the Election Commission’s district-level committees claimed they seldom noticed violent occurrences during campaigns.

 

“The Commission has the ultimate authority, but it is not applying it despite making promises,” he said.

 

Muhammad Abdul Mazid, ex-chairman of the National Board of Revenue, termed the upcoming election a big opportunity for a peaceful transfer of power, adding that a credible government ensures foreign funds.

 

BNP leader Rumeen Farhana accused the ruling party of attacking Oikya Front candidates to make them quit the electoral race.

 

Ganasanghati Andolon Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki, also a candidate from the Dhaka 12 constituency, said the mass arrest of, and police harassment on opposition leaders and activists ahead of the election are making the masses panic.

 

Munira Khan, president of the Fair Election Monitoring Alliance, said the Commission should take a hardline approach against election officials who are being negligent about their duties.

 

Many other eminent figures also attended and spoke at the event.

 

The 11th general election will take place on December 30, 2018.

 

News courtesy: https://www.dhakatribune.com