The Election Commission (EC) has to take a firm stand in the coming city corporation elections. After the last general elections, there were chinks in people's confidence in the EC and this election shall provide the commission an opportunity to restore the lost confidence and brighten its image. The EC will have to withstand pressures from both the ruling party and the opposition as far as ensuring a level playing field is concerned. It must not entertain the illegal demands of any quarter. The ruling party should bear in mind that if it tries to influence the proceedings of the election unfairly, this may backfire and the opposition may opt for political programmes like hartal and oborodh. If the election is held free and fair, it will not only regain public confidence in the EC, but shall also improve further the image of the ruling party. We must not forget that the last three months of political turmoil has already cost us a lot. Many industries have become sick and may soon go out of business. Normal life was badly hampered. Prices of essentials have gone up. The economy failed to generate sufficient employment to accommodate the growing number of job seekers. I hope that the EC will ensure holding of the upcoming elections in a free and fair manner at any cost and bring back lasting peace and tranquility in the country.
Iqbal Siddiqui
Shahjahanpur, Dhaka.
Importance of city elections
FE Team | Published: April 16, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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