The new EC team must deliver
Now it is
incumbent on the new EC to perform in such a manner that they can live up to peoples expectations
After a long and apparently thorough process, members of the new Election Commission have finally been appointed by President Md. Abdul Hamid. With the national elections not too far away the just-formed commission has its task cut out. Unfortunately, the outgoing election commission, most commissions for that matter, did not actually glorify itself by the manner it functioned. The general perception was that their performance left a lot to be desired. In this context, the role of the new Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda and other commissioners become all the more important. It is through its actions that the just-appointed Election Commission must earn the trust of the different political parties and more importantly the voters themselves. The commissioners all have impeccable professional backgrounds and it is expected that they will be able to deliver their duty of conducting free and fair elections reflecting their professional career.
The path of democracy in this country has not been a smooth one. Long years of dictatorships seriously harmed the democratic culture and norms here. As a result, democratic institutions and constitutional bodies too have had a checkered history. It was expected during democratic regimes things would change for the better. Unfortunately, the role of successive Election Commissions was questioned time and again. More often than not the EC failed to assert itself and exercise the powers given to it by the constitution. It also must be admitted that interference from successive governments and indiscriminate shrilly criticism from opposition political parties did not make things any easier for the EC.
However, there are reasons to believe that this time around things will be different. The present team of EC has been chosen through a transparent process. It is difficult to see how the Search Committee could have done a better job in helping the President in appointing the commissioners. As indicated earlier the job before the just-formed Election Commission is not an enviable one. They will be under close scrutiny by the media and the politicians.
In fact, the whole nation was eagerly waiting for the formation of the Election Commission. A great deal is expected from them. Now it is incumbent on them to perform in such a manner that they can live up to the expectations. However, we think that the commissioners are fit for taking up the challenge. The constitution of the country has given enough power to them. If they utilise that power judiciously and not give in to intimidation from any quarters they can set up a great example for the future.
