‘No level-playing field in EC’

Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukdar yesterday alleged that there is no level-playing field within the Election Commission as his capacity to address various issues has been curbed.

Mahbub alleged that he sent four unofficial notes to the chief election commissioner and other commissioners regarding lawmakers and ministers not following the electoral code of conduct during the Dhaka city mayoral elections slated for February 1.

“But those were ignored,” Mahbub said at a press briefing yesterday noon in his EC office.

Mahbub in his unofficial notes called on the commission to issue a specific circular stating that lawmakers and ministers will not be able to take part in any election-related activities during the upcoming polls.

He made the call in the wake of growing tensions between the ruling party and Election Commission, over MPs’ participation in the campaigns.

“No discussion took place regarding the notes, let alone taking proper steps to address the issue. I should have been notified if my statements were unacceptable,” Mahbub said.

On the other hand, he said, since the announcement of the election schedule on December 22, three commission meetings had taken place but there was no agenda to discuss the electoral code of conduct.

Another meeting is scheduled for January 28 and the city corporation election is not on the agenda for that meeting either, he added.

“No discussion was held on the complaints submitted by the political parties and candidates regarding the  election,” he said. “We want to protect the independence and dignity of the commission, so our work should be visible,” he said.

Mahbub further alleged that he sought information from the returning officer and EC senior secretary of Dhaka north and south city corporations polls regarding the list of complaints lodged with the returning office, but the officials did not respond.

Mahbub said he in an unofficial note on January 16 sought the information by January 20.

Meanwhile, EC Senior Secretary Md Alamgir said returning officers were bound to send the information to the commission. “But they are not bound to send information to one commissioner directly. If they send the information, they will have to send it to five commissioners,” he told reporters.

“I do not know what he [Mahbub] tries to portray by saying these,” Alamgir said while replying to a query about his allegation that there is no level-playing field within the EC.