Bangladesh News

Three election commissioners are not willing to continue in their posts amid growing political crisis but the chief election commissioner (CEC) still remains rigid on his stance that he will not resign in any situation.

Talking to newsmen separately in the last couple of days, the three election commissioners — Justice Mahfuzur Rahman, SM Zakaria and Mahmud Hasan Mansur– hinted that they might step down anytime.

In a dramatic development, even the Election Commission (EC) secretary yesterday told reporters that he is unwilling to continue with his job here amid ’such a chaotic situation’.

The election commissioners are very much worried about the increasing uncertainty in political arena ahead of the next parliamentary election. They also expressed their anxiety about the overall situation in the country, sources close to them said.

The sources further said public support for the Awami League (AL)- led 14-party’s countrywide blockade programme has prompted the commissioners to get mentally prepared to resign.

EC Secretary Abdur Rashid Sarkar told reporters, “I don’t want to stay here … Pray for me so that the government transfers me elsewhere.”

As the political stalemate persists centring demands for resignation of CEC MA Aziz, the election commissioners have become frustrated that they could not discuss the situation with him. The CEC reacted sharply on several occasions when journalists asked him about his resignation, and this is why they (commissioners) avoided taking up the issue with him, sources said.

“I am falling sick both mentally and physically day by day while continuing with my job in such a horrible situation. I could not smile in the last few days as the situation is getting worse,” an election commissioner told The Daily Star, seeking anonymity.

“Considering my health condition, my family members do not want me to continue in my present office,” he said in an emotion-choked voice.

Another election commissioner said, ” He is mentally prepared to quit office.”

But CEC Aziz repeatedly announced that the next parliamentary election would be held under his authority.

The CEC even behaved rudely with an adviser to the caretaker government (CG) who went his residence recently to seek his opinion whether he would resign if requested by the CG. Aziz not only refused to do so, he denied that any adviser met him or made any such request. But the adviser later disclosed that he went to the CEC’s residence.

Following this, different political parties, professional bodies and civil society personalities are demanding formation of Supreme Judicial Council for his removal from office for such ’serious misconduct’.

The council of advisers is now discussing with major political parties to find out ways to make the EC credible.

Meanwhile, Aziz on Monday said he is not worried about the growing crisis in the political arena centring demands for his resignation. He is now preparing to announce the schedule for the next election by November 25.

Responding to a query from reporters while leaving office yesterday, the CEC said he is fine. He however declined to respond any other questions.

Sources in the EC Secretariat said Aziz had attempted to resign in January following the High Court judgement that went against his unilateral decision to prepare a fresh voter list. Two the then election commissioners — M Munsef Ali and AK Mohammad Ali — severely opposed preparation of a fresh voter list.

But in consultation with the then four-party coalition government, some senior officials prevented Aziz from stepping down, the sources mentioned.

The government then appointed Justice Mahfuzur Rahman and SM Zakaria as election commissioners to give the CEC majority in the EC over preparation of the voter list.

Aziz, who was appointed CEC on May 23 last year, has harmed the image of the EC by initiating controversial steps and making contradictory statements.

As a result, people have lost confidence in the present EC, political analysts noted.