EWG seeks govt steps for free, fair polls

Election Working Group (EWG), a coalition of poll observers, urged the government Monday to ensure free, fair, inclusive and peaceful elections to the three city corporations slated for next month.
EWG Director Dr Abdul Alim said they will observe the forthcoming city polls, assuring that they are ready to cooperate with the Election Commission (EC) and the government in holding a smooth election.
He suggested that the government should take measures for ensuring that the much-awaited polls are held without disruption.
"Make sure the polls are not postponed or deferred, as happened before," he said reading out a written statement at a press conference at the VIP lounge of the National Press Club on the day.  
"EWG urges the EC, political parties, candidates, voters and other stakeholders for free, fair and credible city corporation elections and assurance of an environment where voters choose their leaders without violence or fear," he said.
The EWG is planning to deploy 46 long-term observers (LTOs) and 1,000 short-term observers (STOs).
In Chittagong, the number of LTOs would be 21 and STOs 700.
He urged the government and the EC to take effective security measures since in a panicky situation the voters will not come to the polling stations.
He sought assurance of a level playing field for all candidates and promulgation of regulations on pre-election campaigns.
Political nomination of the candidates should be totally banned. The group also pleaded for effective enforcement of code of conduct and providing comprehensive and 'hands-on' training to the polling officials.
It also suggests deployment of female polling officials for all polling booths of the females, promulgation of mandatory provision for deployment of polling agents and counting of votes of female voters separately.
"The EC should amend all necessary rules and procedures to enable accredited stationary observation as stationary (uninterrupted full-day) non-partisan election observation can enhance the transparency and accountability of election processes. Observers should be allowed to stay in polling booths all day," Mr Alim mentioned.  
Earlier, the elections to the bifurcated Dhaka City Corporations were either deferred or postponed more than once over legal and other issues after the polling date was fixed by the commission.
Mr Alim urged the EC to remain prepared for taking proper and timely step to ensure that such issues do not arise this time around to create any barrier to voting in the city corporations on time.
The EC has announced that the elections to Dhaka North City Corporation, Dhaka South City Corpor-ation and Chittagong City Corporation will be held on April 28.
Responding to a question about the country's current political turmoil, he said it is the responsibility of the political parties to resolve the ongoing political impasse.
"Elections are an essential institution of democratic states. If the electorate believes that the elections have been free and fair, they can be powerful catalysts for better governance, greater security and human development. But in absence of credible elections, citizens have no recourse to peaceful political change," he said.
He said the risk of conflict increases while corruption, intimidation, and fraud go unchecked, rotting the entire political system slowly from within. Therefore, the EC should take every measure to ensure that elections are not only peaceful but also credible.
Members of the organisation Taleya Rehman, Dr Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah, AHM Noman and Harun Or Rashid, among others, were present.
    talhabinhabib@yahoo.com