Is police overstepping?

The news that the police has detained more than a hundred opposition activists in the run-up to the upcoming Khulna city elections is surprising. Many of them were arrested during overnight raids, while others were picked up during campaigning.

We have no report that they were disturbing public order or were indulging in violence. Arrests in most cases, we understand, are made under the blanket cover in the FIR of "unnamed" accused.  

Neutrality and fairness of the administration are the preconditions for holding free and fair elections. And this needs to be demonstrated also, not articulated only. Many opposition activists are on the run and do not spend the night in their own homes to avoid arrests. Regrettably, the BNP candidate has not been accorded a level-playing field, in contrast to the claims of the administration and directives of the election commission.

What concerns us also is that the police even reportedly communicated with and interrogated presiding officers, who are appointed by the election commission and who are supposed to oversee elections. This we feel goes beyond the remit of the law enforcing agencies and must not be condoned by the election commission—especially when this puts the credibility of the EC at stake.

It is for the EC to ensure free and fair local elections. This election may very well prove to be a litmus test for both the election commission and the administration. If they fail to acquit themselves creditably, people's trust in the EC may continue to slide.