Municipal elections

That the AL won the municipal elections is no surprise. What is, perhaps, surprising is the margin of victory and defeat, and the extent of irregularities that reportedly took place during the elections. According to our reports, ruling party men stuffed ballot boxes, drove opposition candidates' polling agents out of polling centres, and resorted to other transgressions in at least 80 polling stations across the country; they also attacked at least 15 journalists and threatened many more at polling stations.

While we do not think that the number of violations, as a percentage of the overall number of polling centres, would have made a difference to the overall result, a free and fair election would have upheld the country's image to the rest of the world, and added to the credibility of the Election Commission (EC).

As for the BNP, we are relieved that unlike the previous occasions it did not abandon the election halfway through. However, the results are a reflection of its flawed politics and organisational lacuna, among other things. It must regroup and reenergise its workers if it wants to re-establish itself as a major party in Bangladeshi politics.

However, apart from the BNP, we are constrained to say, the biggest loser in this election is the EC. In a country like ours, violations of electoral codes are not uncommon.  But we are as surprised at the inertia of the EC to put a stop to these violations and ensure a free, fair and transparent election, as we are to see the alacrity with which the EC gave the elections a clean chit.

The image of the country and the cause of democracy would have been served better had the EC been prompt in addressing the violations.