The EC's appeal for PM's help

We are aghast at Election Commissioner Shah Nawaz's appeal to the Prime Minister, seeking her intervention to stop some of her party men from breaching electoral codes during the municipal polls campaign. While we appreciate the EC's candour, we cannot help but be exasperated by this admission that the Election Commission has no control of the election process and has failed in addressing the blatant violation of electoral norms that continue with impunity.

The allegations that the returning officers are not doing their job by refraining from taking adequate actions against violators, is a cause for concern. It is these returning officers who play a key role in making sure that all candidates stick to the electoral codes of conduct. Thus it is crucial that they live up to their constitutional obligations.

What the election commissioner has said about such incidents marring the government's image should be taken seriously. If the municipal elections, where there is no power shift in the regime, are conducted with so many irregularities, how can people have confidence in the election process while trying to elect their candidate? Under the current circumstances, the prospect of a free and fair municipal election appears to be very dim.

The open disregard for electoral rules by ruling party men and the EC's obvious inability to take any action against them, has made a deep dent in our democratic journey. The Prime Minister may be very well served by taking the EC's appeal in all seriousness.