Editorial
Campaigning ends
And the EC's role still remains crucial
What impression has one got from the goings-on in the last three weeks now that the campaign phase of the election has ended? Firstly, in spite of the claim of some EC members, the number of incidents of violence and the tally of injured suggest that it was more than sporadic or stray. Thank Providence that although the number of injured was almost 1,200, there were only two deaths, although even that is two too many. And it was the opposition, in almost all the cases, that was at the receiving end of the attacks.
Secondly, it seemed to be a one-sided canvassing with only the ruling party in the scene. Very little ground was accorded to the opposition candidates to conduct their campaigns. Regrettably, the law enforcing agencies, as much as the ruling party activists, created the impediments. Many BNP activists including seven candidates were arrested.
Thirdly, BNP will not be able to contest in at least 17 seats because these aspirants were disqualified on various grounds—most of them being upazila chairmen whose resignation was not accepted by the government. As such, as per the RPO, they invalidated themselves for "holding office of profit". It is incongruous that when sitting MPs can not only contest elections but exploit their status and office to also canvass, the upazila chairman cannot even contest in the national elections.
Fourthly, the much-hoped-for level playing field was even more undulated than in any previous election. And within the EC, there was a difference of opinion in this regard. The blatant violations of the election rules were at best glossed over and at worst dismissed out of hand by the EC.
Thus, while one had hoped that the EC would be more hands-on and inculcate confidence in the voters, that, unfortunately, has not been the case. We reiterate what we have stressed in the past. On EC rests the onerous task of ensuring that the assembly elections are free and fair. Notwithstanding its lack of proactive response, we would hope that it would muster all its resources and give us a credible election on December 30.