Third phase of upazila election

Violence marked the third phase of upazila election and it marred the whole atmosphere. Three valuable lives were lost in this mayhem, including a polling agent. The whole election was full of disorder and chaos and the Election Commission (EC) completely disappointed the common people by not discharging its duty fairly.
Although the ruling party candidates won more seats than their rival BNP, its credibility is questioned. The voters were disappointed in many centres as they could not cast their votes. Votes had already been cast before they reached the voting booths. The common people have a few privileges in our country and voting is one of those. But it seems they are gradually losing that right also. In the previous two phases of upazila polls, BNP-backed candidates fared better than the ruling party. This made the ruling party-backed candidates and followers desperate to win but not before making their fragile image muddier.
This shadowy win will not help the ruling party; rather it will justify the demand of the main opposition party for the caretaker system and a free and fair election. I believe that the third phase election has exposed the insecurity of the ruling party and its isolation from the common people.

Masud Rana
Dhanmondi, Dhaka