CEC's injudicious comment

We do not know what to make of the CEC's comments that the election commission cannot guarantee irregularity-free national elections. The statement is not only imprudent, it is an irresponsible and uncalled for comment, particularly from a person whose constitutional duty it is to give the nation a free, fair and untarnished election, and one that would allow the voters to choose their candidates without hindrance or let.

In spite of our repeated calls, the EC has repeatedly failed so far to live up to the expectation of all the stakeholders, as demonstrated in the last three mayoral polls. And much as the CEC refuses to acknowledge that the three elections, and the Khulna election preceding those, were marred by irregularities, the evidences on the ground, the pictures and reports, belie his individual perception of the quality of the elections. Inaction in the face of gross violation of electoral codes, and the pretexts for that has not added to the EC's credibility at all.

What is equally ominous is that the CEC's statement is giving the impression that he is preparing us for what is to come in the next parliamentary elections; and he is also admitting, in advance, his powerlessness to do anything about it.

Instead of abdicating his mandate, and that is the clear impression that Huda's words convey, he should be thinking of how to ensure that the Jatiyo Sangsad elections and all the others that are to take place under the watch of this commission is acceptable to all parties. Instead of that he has presented us with a fait accompli. That is unacceptable.