A moral debacle, indeed

The atmosphere of celebration - the beauty of elections in our part of the world - was not there. All candidates other than the ruling party-backed ones complained that a level-playing field was not created.
The election commission has failed to build confidence so that voters' turnout could be high. Still, enthusiasm about the elections despite apprehensions was reported here and there. On the day of voting, all apprehensions have come true. The reports that came from the spots suggest that this is not an election 'of the people, by the people and for the people'.
Unlike the historic trends of elections, anywhere in the world, the people may have no curiosity about who are going to win the elections in three city corporations in Dhaka and Chittagong.
It is those who rely on violence may emerge as the winners in a situation where rules of the game do not function. The musclemen have found a suitable job and more relevance in society to show that they are more powerful than the might of the voters. They have ensured that the masses are neither 'courageous' enough nor even required to go to vote any candidate whoever.
On its part, the ruling party camp had not taken or allowed any chance of losing the electoral battle against the archrival BNP. In fact, no stone was left unturned to ensure that no dissent was reflected in the electoral verdict.
The Awami League side has foiled the calls for 'silent revolution' or 'silent vengeance'. The rulers have apparently assigned everyone in the establishment to be by the side of the AL-backed candidates who were, predictably, hundred per cent optimistic about their victory.
Now, the question arises: What is the moral value of winning an election where the people are denied their voting rights?
Unfortunately, the Awami League, as the oldest political party of the country, has sacrificed its moral precept of upholding the "politics of vote". And the party has apparently helped further strengthen the BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia's contention that fair election is not possible under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government.
As a nation, we have reasons to be ashamed of and frustrated at the allegations of vote rigging, intimidation of rivals and creating a reign of terror on the occasion of the balloting which was rather supposed to provide a political space for resolution of the electoral crisis. The elections, marked by violence and rigging, will probably not brighten our image internationally. Such elections will give our friends abroad the scope to speak on how to improve electoral process in Bangladesh and what is to be done in course of time.
With the announcement of boycott of the city polls by the BNP in the middle of the voting on the allegation of massive rigging, violence and manipulation, the process of political dialogue has been significantly weakened. Thus, one can hardly foresee peaceful political process, at least in the near future, when rival political camps will be out to outsmart each other and may challenge each other in future elections.
What will happen to democracy if we follow the model of this city election in future?
khawaza@gmail.com