Union Parishad elections again marred by violence

When the Election Commissioner unhesitatingly declared that the fourth phase was held under a ‘better election atmosphere’ we find it difficult to decipher its meaning

It’s the recurrence of the same old seemingly unstoppable horrid occurrences which continue to tarnish these years’ Union Parishad elections. With dozens killed, countless injured amid a spree of irregularities and violence in the four phases of Union Parishad elections held recently, it is not only the Election Commission’s ( EC) role that is now questioned, but also if it is truly capable of handling any elections at all. The Election Commission is constitutionally responsible for the overall elections held in the country and if it cannot guarantee safety and security at every stage of local and national elections then it is either incompetent or insincere in terms of handling its election time duties candidly.
Given what has happened in the recently three earlier phases the EC should have taken lessons and resorted to immediate alterations. But sadly, nothing of the sort happened. The fourth phase of UP elections held in some parts of Rajshahi and Comilla have recorded at least four more reported deaths, many wounded besides accusations of rigging by the activists of the ruling party. So when the Election Commissioner unhesitatingly declared the day before yesterday, the fourth phase was held under a ‘better election atmosphere’ we are somewhat puzzled to decipher its meaning. It could be either that it has improved due to a lesser number of deaths or by a decrease in the incidence of violence but not anyhow by holding free, fair and credible polls. Moreover, he has also claimed that violence was less this time due to ‘added preventive measures by the EC’.
If true, then why weren’t the measures adopted beforehand during the first three phases?
Meant to perform as an independent constitutional body of the state, the unfortunate truth is the EC has been losing its credibility. We are noticing high levels of shortcomings within the EC. For instance, decision not to use its own staff for the crucial Returning Officer (RO) role but instead to use senior members of the local administration further perpetuates the influence of the ruling parties. It also doesn’t unswervingly attempt to assert its authority. As a negative consequence many aspects on the elections are apparently being run by local administrations rather than by the independent election commission.        
Election is one of the key components of democracy and in times of elections it is the EC which is usually the guardian and vanguard ensuring free, fair and credible polls and when it fails to deliver results expected by the public, it fails democracy too. Held at a smaller scale if our EC is unqualified for ensuring local level polls, how can we expect it to hold large-scale national polls? EC must soon realize this sad truth.

Union Parishad elections again marred by violence

When the Election Commissioner unhesitatingly declared that the fourth phase was held under a better election atmosphere we find it difficult to decipher its meaning

Its the recurrence of the same old seemingly unstoppable horrid occurrences which continue to tarnish these years Union Parishad elections. With dozens killed, countless injured amid a spree of irregularities and violence in the four phases of Union Parishad elections held recently, it is not only the Election Commissions ( EC) role that is now questioned, but also if it is truly capable of handling any elections at all. The Election Commission is constitutionally responsible for the overall elections held in the country and if it cannot guarantee safety and security at every stage of local and national elections then it is either incompetent or insincere in terms of handling its election time duties candidly. Given what has happened in the recently three earlier phases the EC should have taken lessons and resorted to immediate alterations. But sadly, nothing of the sort happened. The fourth phase of UP elections held in some parts of Rajshahi and Comilla have recorded at least four more reported deaths, many wounded besides accusations of rigging by the activists of the ruling party. So when the Election Commissioner unhesitatingly declared the day before yesterday, the fourth phase was held under a better election atmosphere we are somewhat puzzled to decipher its meaning. It could be either that it has improved due to a lesser number of deaths or by a decrease in the incidence of violence but not anyhow by holding free, fair and credible polls. Moreover, he has also claimed that violence was less this time due to added preventive measures by the EC. If true, then why werent the measures adopted beforehand during the first three phases? Meant to perform as an independent constitutional body of the state, the unfortunate truth is the EC has been losing its credibility. We are noticing high levels of shortcomings within the EC. For instance, decision not to use its own staff for the crucial Returning Officer (RO) role but instead to use senior members of the local administration further perpetuates the influence of the ruling parties. It also doesnt unswervingly attempt to assert its authority. As a negative consequence many aspects on the elections are apparently being run by local administrations rather than by the independent election commission. Election is one of the key components of democracy and in times of elections it is the EC which is usually the guardian and vanguard ensuring free, fair and credible polls and when it fails to deliver results expected by the public, it fails democracy too. Held at a smaller scale if our EC is unqualified for ensuring local level polls, how can we expect it to hold large-scale national polls? EC must soon realize this sad truth.