Two of the three mayoral candidates in the Barisal City Corporation (BCC) election alleged that the Election Commission (EC) has failed to ensure a level playing field in the poll, scheduled to be held on June 15. Questions have been raised about the role of the local EC by these candidates. Candidates and their supporters have openly expressed dissatisfaction over what they described as the EC’s partiality. One of the mayoral contestants has been displaying banners and festoons all over the city in violation of BCC election rules. In this banner, he has used colour photographs of developmental works.
Again, supporters and workers of mayoral candidate Mahmudul Haque Khan Mamun have alleged attacks by the rival camp. Khan said he has complained about this to the local election officer from time to time, but his complaints have gone unheeded. Khan claimed that a free and fair election would not be conducted here by the present EC, local administration and police.
Similar allegations were levelled by Ahsan Habib Kamal, the mayoral candidate supported by the 18-Party Alliance. Ahsan Habib Kamal demanded removal of seven police officers, including the Barisal Metropolitan Police (BMP) commissioner, the officers-in-charge (OCs) of airport, Kotwali and Kawnia police stations and three sub-inspectors, whom he identified by name.
At one stage, both the candidates demanded deployment of the army during the BCC poll.
The EC, while visiting Barisal, directed the officials of the administration and law enforcement agencies to show zero tolerance and play an impartial, unbiased, proactive role in curbing violence, terrorist activities and threats. A three-tier system of security measures has been planned for the BCC election.
Md. Mujibor Rahman, returning officer of the 2013 BCC poll, said, “We are doing our best to hold a free and fair election. We have already formed a six-member vigilance team to curb violation of election rules.”
However, this has not reassured the candidates. At one stage, central BNP vice-chairman Abdullal Al Noman, at a press conference, questioned the impartiality of the EC and demanded deployment of the army in the BCC election. Noman claimed that the administration, police and EC had failed to perform their duty impartially and had not created and maintained a level playing field for all candidates.
-With The Independent input
