Ballot stuffing by polling officers ominous

The tendency of polling officials increasingly getting involved in stuffing ballot boxes in the ongoing union parishad (UP) polls has become a major concern, say experts and Election Commission officials.

The main reasons behind this are underhand dealings, unhealthy political culture, and the Election Commission's lack of control over administration, they told The Daily Star.

In the four phases of UP election, police detained at least 23 polling officials in Comilla, Jamalpur, Mymensingh and Jessore, while a presiding officer was jailed for one month in Sherpur and two were withdrawn from duties in Bogra and Chuadanga, according to media reports.

“Our electoral system has already been on the verge of ruination due to massive violence and irregularities by supporters of candidates. Involvement of polling officials with irregularities will make the destruction faster,” said former election commissioner M Sakhawat Hussain.

Polling officials dare commit such irregularities as the EC has lost control over administration, he observed.

Abdul Alim, director of monitoring body Election Working Group (EWG), termed the tendency "dangerous" and said it would encourage use of black money and bribery in elections.

“In addition to the voting day irregularities, polling officials in many cases take money from candidates during campaigns,” he said.

EWG is an alliance of 28 civil society organisations.  

Talking to The Daily Star, several EC officials expressed anger as they think the responsibility of polling officials' misdeeds fall on the EC and its officials.

“Polling officials in many cases face pressure from political parties to favour the party-nominated candidates,” said a deputy secretary of EC, seeking anonymity.

When asked, Election Commissioner Shah Nawaz said the EC had taken action against officials, who were involved with irregularities.

In UP polls, the district election officers in coordination with returning officers (RO) appoint presiding officers, assistant presiding officers, and polling officers from different government and non-government institutions.  

An RO is on the whole responsible for holding election to a particular UP, while a presiding officer oversees a particular polling station with assistance of assistant presiding officers and polling officers.

Because of lack of coordination, people affiliated with a political party were often seen appointed polling officials.

In Gangni upazila of Meherpur, a college teacher, who is also a leader of the local Awami League, was appointed a presiding officer of Sholotaka UP in the fourth phase polls.

Election to 703 UPs was held on May 8 in the fourth phase.

The first phase (725 UPs) was held on

March 22, the second (639 UPs) on March 31, and the third (615 UPs) on April 23. Besides, election to 733 UPs is slated for May 28 in the fifth phase and 724 UPs on June 4 in the sixth phase.