Bangladesh News

Chief Election Commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda yesterday voiced frustration over lack of quality candidates in the upcoming city corporation and municipality polls.

“The Election Commission is a little bit frustrated, as the number of quality candidates is not as many as expected to be in the race,” he told reporters at the EC Secretariat.

Huda said all concerned, including political parties, need to contribute to this process through fielding acceptable candidates “Those who are good candidates should also come forward to play a role in this regard,” he said.

Describing the upcoming local-body elections as nonpartisan, the CEC said the country’s good people could have availed of the opportunity, but they did not.

About campaign in this regard, he said there was no lack of publicity to inspire good people to participate in the polls, but the overall result has failed to meet “our expectations”.

“Debates were also arranged to bring the candidates before the voters. Many organisations, including the media, carried out a campaign and arranged talk-shows. What’s the result of these efforts?” the CEC questioned.

Taking a swipe at critics, Huda alleged the EC is wrongly being criticised by expecting much more from the commission than what is logical. ”The EC alone cannot do everything.”

Asked whether the EC would come up with the same tone of frustration over the general election, the CEC said the situation would improve by the time.

Terming the city corporations as service delivery organisations, which have to work with various departments of the government, the CEC said the commission expects that more professional and enlightened persons having administrative experiences will come forward to contest the city corporation elections.

About the allegation of violating the election code of conduct by some candidates, Huda said the candidates in the election areas were carrying out their election campaign abiding by the code of conduct. “The situation is satisfactory as wall writings, road showdown and hazardous use of microphones are not seen in the election areas,” he said.

He said there are a number of allegations — identified criminals and corrupt people have submitted nomination papers, wrong and incomplete information and what steps to be taken against them immediately.

“The EC can do nothing other than following the legal procedures about the terrorists and corrupt candidates,” he said, adding that it’s impossible for the EC to cancel their candidatures without having full knowledge about the allegations brought against them (candidates).