The Election Commission has said that one way out of the challenges of fair elections is that no case of harassment is registered by any government agency.
During an interview last July, Prothom Alo asked Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal, “How will you ensure this?”
The CEC responded by saying, “Wait and see.” However, no guidelines or steps have been seen in reality from the Election Commission to prevent cases of political harassment.
Relevant sources said that the Election Commission feels that the responsibility of the Election Commission is only to ensure security for the parties participating in the elections.
Apart from this they will not do anything about any other political persecution. And, BNP has already announced that they will not participate in the elections and has also condemned the event. In this matter, the Election Commission has nothing to do at this time with regard to the arrest of BNP leaders and registration of cases against them.
Election Commissioner MD Alamgir told Prothom Alo last Sunday that the Election Commission will leave no stone unturned in ensuring a level playing field for parties contesting the elections.
The Election Commission had also said in its action plan that they will strictly enforce the electoral code of conduct and will also investigate and take immediate action against those who violate the code of conduct.
But, the Election Commission seems to be relaxed on this issue from the beginning.
Official election campaigning will start from December 18. Earlier on November 16 and 17, Umar Farooq Chaudhary, Member of Parliament from Rajshahi-1 constituency, had organized two programs in the constituency in violation of the code of conduct. The commission decided to issue a ‘warning’ to Omar Farooq Chaudhary or the organizer of the event five days after the incident.