Candidates' disregard for election rules

We read with concern a report by this newspaper that major mayoral candidates in the upcoming city corporation elections are failing to comply with election rules. And that the election commission has turned a blind eye to such disregard for rules and discipline. The election commission has broad poll-time powers sanctioned by the constitution and other laws. It is therefore unfortunate that the commission continues to choose not to use them.

The previous two city polls in Khulna and Gazipur were marred by widespread—and at times, credible—allegations of ballot stuffing and other serious irregularities. If the commission does not want the upcoming polls to suffer a similar fate, it must assert its authority over the polling process as soon as possible.

What apparently impacted the electoral outcome in the previous two polls the most was the police's heavy-handed approach towards activists of opposition parties. Back then, too, the election commission failed to contain the police's actions against opposition activists, disrupting the even playing field which is a major prerequisite for a free and fair election. In fact, the commission never acknowledged its shortcomings; on the contrary, it gave itself a pat on the back for supposedly presiding over "excellent" elections.

In Rajshahi, the police have already lodged new cases against opposition activists, in an apparent violation of the Supreme Court directives, and arrested many. If such harassment and intimidation continue, it is almost certain that the upcoming elections would become a repetition of the previous two city polls—something the election commission must strive to prevent from happening, if it wishes to be credible.