‘My impression is polls want to go into exile’

Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukdar yesterday said that elections in the country are becoming "one-centric" which cannot be an element of multi-party democracy.

Democracy cannot flourish through a controversial election. "Looking at the results of the ongoing municipality polls, my impression is that election wants to go into exile," he told reporters at the Election Commission office in the capital yesterday on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the current EC.

"Since democracy cannot be established without elections, it [democracy] has to be protected by strictly following each and every electoral law and the code of conduct," he noted in his written speech.

"The election management system is now on the edge of a deep pit because of a lack of proper reform of the electoral process. This reform does not depend on the Election Commission. This requires understanding between political parties and all concerned.

"Election means choosing one among many through voting. But this is not seen nowadays. And a question arises -- are elections now pre-fixed?"

Mahbub also feared violence in the Union Parishad polls slated for May this year.

Violations of the code of conduct and violence have now become part of elections. There is no scope for shrugging off any untoward incident by terming it an isolated one. There is a need for finding a way out to hold a peaceful election without loss of life.

"Necessary steps should be taken to find out why our initiatives to hold free and fair polls are not working."

In reply to a query from a reporter, Mahbub said he was ready to quit if that benefits the nation.

"If my resignation benefits the country or make things better, I am ready to resign from my position anytime," he said.

Asked about dozens of noted citizens' demand for forming Supreme Judicial Council to probe corruption allegations against the current EC, Mahbub said he had nothing to say about it.

The current EC yesterday completed four years of its five-year tenure. The incumbent commissioners assumed office on February 15, 2017.

Over the last four years, election watchdogs and civil society members have criticised the current EC over the holding of the 2018 national election. It has also come under fire over allegations of financial corruption and irregularities and also low voter turnout in different elections, including by-polls.

Recently, 42 eminent citizens urged the president to constitute Supreme Judicial Council to probe allegations of corruption and misconduct by the EC.

They wrote twice to the president -- on December 14 last year and on January 17 this year.