UZ polls: Candidates\\\' complaints to EC going unheeded

The Election Commission (EC) has been apparently playing a silent role over a huge number of allegations and objections filed by the candidates of the ongoing local government polls. The EC 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 concerned election official has said. But the commission hardly takes them into cognizance on the pretext of not having specific grounds. The EC 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 Febr 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. Chairman candidate Mohammad Morshed Alam of Mymensingh’s Bhaluka upazila filed an appeal with the EC to recount the votes cast on Feb 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 others candidates submitted allegations, complaints or petitions to the 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 EC 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,” according to UNB.