Lack of quality candidates in local polls frustrates CEC
Tuesday, 22 July 2008
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) ATM Shamsul Huda Monday voiced deep frustration over the upcoming city corporation and municipality polls, as there is a lack of quality candidates in the election race, reports UNB.
"Overall, the Election Commission (EC) is a little bit frustrated, as the number of quality candidates is not as many as was expected to be in the race," CEC Shamsul Huda told reporters at the EC Secretariat in the afternoon.
Dr Huda said all concerned, including political parties, need to contribute to this process through fielding acceptable candidates to represent the ordinary people. "Those who are good candidates should also come forward to play a role in this regard," he said.
Describing the upcoming local-body elections as non-partisan, the CEC said the country's good people could have availed of the opportunity, but they did not.
About campaign in this regard, he said there was no lack of publicity to inspire good people to come up, but the overall result has failed to meet "our expectations."
"Debates were also arranged to bring the candidates before the voters. Many organisations, including the media, carried out a whole lot of campaign and arranged talk-shows. What's the result of these efforts?" the CEC questioned.
Taking a swipe at critics, Dr Huda alleged that the EC is wrongly being criticised by expecting much more from the Commission than what is logical. "The EC alone cannot do everything."
Asked whether the EC would come up with the same tone of frustration over the general polls, the CEC said the situation would improve by the time. "The more we'll move towards the big election, the better will be the situation," he hoped.
Terming the city corporations as service delivery organisations, which have to work with various departments of the government, Dr Huda said the Commission expects that more professional and enlightened persons having administrative experiences would come forward to contest the city corporation elections.
About the allegation of violating the election code of conduct by some candidates, Shamsul Huda said the candidates in the election areas were carrying out their election campaign abiding by the code of conduct. "The situation is satisfactory as wall writings, road showdown and hazardous use of microphones are not seen in the election areas," he said.
He said there are a number of allegations-identified terrorists and corrupt people have submitted nomination papers, wrong and incomplete information and what steps to be taken against them immediately.
"The EC can do nothing other than following the legal procedures about the terrorists and corrupt candidates," he said adding that it's impossible for the EC to cancel their candidatures without having full knowledge about the allegations brought against them.
"Overall, the Election Commission (EC) is a little bit frustrated, as the number of quality candidates is not as many as was expected to be in the race," CEC Shamsul Huda told reporters at the EC Secretariat in the afternoon.
Dr Huda said all concerned, including political parties, need to contribute to this process through fielding acceptable candidates to represent the ordinary people. "Those who are good candidates should also come forward to play a role in this regard," he said.
Describing the upcoming local-body elections as non-partisan, the CEC said the country's good people could have availed of the opportunity, but they did not.
About campaign in this regard, he said there was no lack of publicity to inspire good people to come up, but the overall result has failed to meet "our expectations."
"Debates were also arranged to bring the candidates before the voters. Many organisations, including the media, carried out a whole lot of campaign and arranged talk-shows. What's the result of these efforts?" the CEC questioned.
Taking a swipe at critics, Dr Huda alleged that the EC is wrongly being criticised by expecting much more from the Commission than what is logical. "The EC alone cannot do everything."
Asked whether the EC would come up with the same tone of frustration over the general polls, the CEC said the situation would improve by the time. "The more we'll move towards the big election, the better will be the situation," he hoped.
Terming the city corporations as service delivery organisations, which have to work with various departments of the government, Dr Huda said the Commission expects that more professional and enlightened persons having administrative experiences would come forward to contest the city corporation elections.
About the allegation of violating the election code of conduct by some candidates, Shamsul Huda said the candidates in the election areas were carrying out their election campaign abiding by the code of conduct. "The situation is satisfactory as wall writings, road showdown and hazardous use of microphones are not seen in the election areas," he said.
He said there are a number of allegations-identified terrorists and corrupt people have submitted nomination papers, wrong and incomplete information and what steps to be taken against them immediately.
"The EC can do nothing other than following the legal procedures about the terrorists and corrupt candidates," he said adding that it's impossible for the EC to cancel their candidatures without having full knowledge about the allegations brought against them.