Upazila elections: Candidates\\\' complaints going unheeded

The Election Commission has (EC) been apparently playing a silent role over a huge number of allegations and objections filed by the candidates of the ongoing upazila elections.
The commission receives 15-20 applications every day over alleged violations of the election code, intimidation, objections regarding election officials, petitions for recounting the votes and so on, a election official concerned told UNB.
But the EC hardly takes them into cognizance on the pretext of not having specific grounds.
The commission feels it has no responsibility and authority in the matters, shifting the onus onto the shoulders of the returning officers for taking measures over any complaint or allegation.
BNP-backed chairman candidate Zahurul Islam, who suffered defeat in the February 27 election in Jessore's Chowgachha upazila, alleged that despite frequent complaints, the commission did not take any action following attacks on him and his supporters as well as election anomalies.
The candidate on Thursday submitted a petition with the commission not to publish the gazette on his upazila's election results, alleging vote-rigging in 28 polling stations out of 80.
He also attached clips of various newspapers that ran the news and photographs of the attack on him on the day voting took place. But an election commissioner suggested him to go to court saying that they have nothing to do.
Under article 49 of the Representation of the People Order, 1972, an election petition shall be presented to the EC within 45 days after the publication in the official gazette of the name of the returned candidate. The EC will then make arrangement for submission of the election petitions to the concerned Election Tribunals constituted for the purpose by the EC.
Chairman candidate Mohammad Morshed Alam of Mymensingh's Bhaluka upazila filed an appeal with the commission to recount the votes cast on February 27.
Chairman candidate Lokman Hossain, vice chairman candidate Jahir Sazzad and reserved vice chairman candidate Taslima Parvin of Barisal's Gouranadi upazila asked the commission to cancel the unofficial election result, while chairman candidate Gazi Golam Mostafa of Gopalganj's Tungipara appealed for beefed-up security in 14 polling stations considered as vulnerable in his upazila.
Besides, vice chairman candidate Kamal Uddin of Feni's Fulgazi upazila requested the commission to change the returning officer in his upazila, in consideration of his alleged bias.
Like them, many other candidates submitted allegations, complaints or petitions to the election commission regularly.
On prevention of pre-poll irregularities, the relevant section in the EC's website states the following: "Any person or political party aggrieved by such violation may apply to the Electoral Enquiry Committee or Election Commission seeking redress. If the applications filed with the Election Commission is found by the Commission is (sic) tenable, it shall send the same to the concerned Electoral Enquiry Committee for investigation."
Election Commissioner Md Shah Nawaz said, "We can't take actions against the election irregularities following the allegations as almost all the complaints are unspecific."
He suggested the candidates should lodge complaints mentioning specific facts.
The commissioner, however, admitted that the first two phases of the 4th upazila elections held last month were marred by stray incidents of violence and irregularities.
The ongoing countrywide upazila elections began on February 19 with the first phase witnessing elections in 98 upazilas. In the second phase, polls in 114 upazilas were held on February 27.
The third phase of the upazila elections in 83 upazilas will be held on March 15, while the fourth phase in 92 upazilas on March 23 and the fifth phase in 74 upazilas on March 31.