Bangladesh News

Buoyed by peaceful conduct of the mayoral polls yesterday, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) ATM Shamsul Huda said he does not see any problems with holding the parliamentary election too under the state of emergency.

Two advisers of the caretaker government observed that yesterday’s polls show that a free and fair election is possible with the state of emergency in force.

According to political analysts, the almost trouble-free organisation of the elections to four city corporations and nine municipalities will strengthen the caretaker government’s case for holding polls under the state of emergency.

Most of the political parties have long been arguing against voting with the emergency curbs in force.

The first under the present military-backed administration, the local polls have been considered crucial to determining whether the government should withdraw the state or emergency for the national election.

Asked about the ongoing political debate over polls under emergency, CEC Huda yesterday said it is no more an issue now.

“I know of no obstacles to polling today [yesterday]. We won’t have any problems conducting the parliamentary election under the state of emergency if the government can ensure an atmosphere like today’s,” Huda told reporters after the end of polling.

Earlier in the day, the polls chief visited Manikganj municipality to observe the election situation there.

Meanwhile, Home Affairs Adviser Major General (retd) MA Matin and Communications Adviser Major General (retd) Ghulam Quader said they are satisfied with the way the local polls have passed off.

Terming the elections a test case, Matin said, “It has been good.”

Talking to reporters at his office in the Secretariat, he said the government will decide later whether to withdraw emergency for the parliamentary polls.

Ghulam Quader said yesterday’s polls have proved that a free, fair and peaceful election is very much possible under the state of emergency.

The CEC on several occasions last year said holding elections with the emergency power rules (EPR) in effect is not practicable.

However, yesterday he said he was quite happy to see people’s enthusiasm for elections and the peaceful atmosphere.

He said the polls to other local government bodies might as well be held under the state of emergency. In that case too, the contestants will be given complete freedom for electioneering by relaxing the EPR.

On June 20, the EC announced the polls schedules while the government eased the EPR to allow processions and rallies for election campaigns.

Queried if the EC would ask the government to lift or relax emergency reins for the future polls, the polls chief said, “We’ll only ask for an environment conducive to holding free and fair election. Whether the state of emergency will be lifted or not rests with the government.”

Asked about suspension of fundamental rights for the state of emergency, he said it is more a psychological matter. “I don’t think it has any practical implications for the conduct of polls.”

About allegations against contestants of holding back personal information in affidavits and violating electoral rules, Huda said the EC has issued 21 notices in response to as many complaints.

The commission will take legal action against candidates for flouting electoral rules irrespective of their polls results, he added.

He said the local government polls will help them plug the loopholes, if there’s any, in the election systems.

Election Commissioner Muhammed Sohul Hussain said they are satisfied with the overall conduct of the polls.