Bias claims by rivals put EC in a bind

The political atmosphere heats up ahead of the start of formal electioneering, with major parties alleging that the Election Commission and the administration are selectively enforcing rules against their candidates. 

Over the past week, leaders of BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami and National Citizen Party have repeatedly voiced these concerns during meetings with the Election Commission, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and at public programmes.

Such allegations are often part of a political strategy to deter the commission from leaning towards any party, said an analyst and an election commissioner. 

However, experts warned that the growing exchange of accusations may fuel voter anxiety at a critical juncture, as candidates are set to hit the campaign trail on Thursday.

They stressed that the EC must investigate complaints thoroughly and take a clear, objective stance to ensure a free, fair and widely acceptable election.

At a meeting with an NCP delegation yesterday, Chief Adviser Yunus said, “Any complaints or suggestions regarding the election should be immediately conveyed to the government. The government will take whatever measures are possible. Steps will be taken to ensure that no one can break the law.

“To guarantee neutrality, changes in the field administration have been made through lottery. There is no scope for bias in this election. 

“This is an election that will determine the nation’s destiny. This is an election that can transform the country. This election must be free and fair.” 

Contacted by The Daily Star last night, two senior EC officials, requesting anonymity, acknowledged that the commission was indeed under pressure due to recent comments and demonstrations by political parties. It even had to revise the in-country postal voting ballots. 

“The EC is under some pressure. Ensuring law and order during the campaign period will be a major challenge for us,” said one official.

The polls body is scheduled to meet with representatives of all political parties today to provide a detailed explanation of postal ballot procedures and the overall voting process. 

JAMAAT BREACHING PRIVACY: BNP

Contacted yesterday, BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed said, “We are seeing in various cases that when a particular political party exerts pressure, the Election Commission appears to tilt. We are urging that this must not happen, so that no one can raise questions about the commission’s neutrality.”

He added, “Our expectation is that the Election Commission will act in a neutral manner. We want free and fair polls, so that no one can raise questions about this election.” 

Earlier on Sunday, after meeting Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at the EC office in Agargaon, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir alleged that key figures of various parties had begun campaigning ahead of the scheduled time in violation of the electoral code.

He claimed that sections of top EC officials, returning officers, assistant returning officers, superintendents of police and other officials in some constituencies were working in favour of “one party”.

He also accused the EC of engaging in questionable conduct on several issues, with the postal ballots for expatriate Bangladeshis being the most prominent and unresolved one.

Fakhrul further alleged that Jamaat activists were collecting copies of national identity cards, bKash numbers and mobile numbers from households. “This breaches privacy and is a criminal offence,” he said.

He also claimed that in several Dhaka constituencies, a party had resorted to unethical tactics by transferring large numbers of voters from other parts of the country to ensure victory for its nominated candidates.

BNP MISLEADING VOTERS: JAMAAT

Speaking to The Daily Star yesterday, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General and head of its central publicity department Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair said, “The point is that we are not seeing the kind of neutral behaviour we expect from the Election Commission. Within the commission itself, there are certain officials who seem to be leaning towards one particular party, giving them some advantage.”

Earlier, after meeting the chief adviser on Sunday, Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher said the party informed Prof Yunus that the conduct of some SPs and DCs at the field level appeared to be “biased”.

“We said we have no objection if anyone is given enhanced security or protocol. But as one of the major parties, the ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami must also be treated equally,” he said.

Taher also accused BNP activists of deceiving voters by distributing “so-called family cards and farmer cards door to door”. 

EC BIASED: NCP

During the meeting with Yunus yesterday, NCP Convener Nahid Islam drew his attention to several election-related issues and urged the government to take a proactive role in ensuring a level playing field.

Following the meeting, NCP spokesperson and head of its election steering committee Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain told reporters that “one-sided and biased” behaviour from the EC to the field level officials “in the same manner as previous controversial elections” is creating doubts about the commission’s neutrality.

Protesting the show-cause notices issued to NCP leaders Nahid and Nasiruddin Patwari, Asif said the use of photographs in campaigning were referendum campaign materials, which are not identified as a violation or a punishable offence in the Representation of the People Order or the code of conduct.

He also alleged that candidates of other political parties across the country are openly using election symbols, party names and leaders’ photographs on posters, billboards and festoons, which are clear violations of the code of conduct.

“When campaigning was prohibited, the entire Dhaka city and the country were flooded with posters of a party chairperson returning home,” he said.

Asif further claimed that on Sunday, during the disposal of appeals, the commission legalised the candidacies of dual citizens in violation of several existing laws, including constitutional provisions and the RPO.

EC MUST ACT: EXPERTS

Election experts Abdul Alim and Jesmin Tuli said the commission should investigate specific allegations without any delay to remove confusion.

“But I haven’t heard that the Election Commission is conducting any inquiry or investigation into these allegations. If there are specific complaints, the commission should immediately state whether it has taken action, or whether the allegation is true or false. In that case, people would understand that it is indeed taking measures,” said Tuli, a former senior EC official.

Alim, also a political analyst, said parties usually make allegations of bias and violation of rules before polls to keep pressure on the authorities.

“However, we did not see allegations and counter-allegations being taken to the EC or the chief adviser, and simultaneous protests in front of the commission after the election schedule was announced under caretaker or interim governments in the past,” he said.

He warned that if the situation continues, especially with official campaigning set to begin in just two days, it will become increasingly difficult to control.

“That’s why the EC must investigate the allegations and take stern action. The findings must be shared with the public to show where wrongdoing has occurred,” he said. 

Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud, when contacted yesterday, said the allegations of bias and the absence of a level playing field were part of political strategies.

“We are not biased towards anyone. We are committed to holding free, fair and acceptable elections,” he said.