It seems dark clouds are gathering on the political horizon. People were beginning to see light centring the city corporation elections. But widespread irregularities in the elections, lack of action by the Election Commission and withdrawal of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) from the election process have made the prospect dim. Many fear that political violence may erupt again.
The BNP-led 20-party alliance has raised charges of widespread irregularities and rigging in the city polls. They have not yet declared any programme, and many fear that things might take a turn for the worse in the days ahead affecting normalcy in all spheres of life. In fact, the atmosphere has gone from bad to worse ever since the Prime Minister claimed that the election was free and fair.
The Awami League now dismisses the BNP as a paper tiger. They say they are not afraid of any BNP threat. But the BNP has been saying from the beginning that free and fair election was not possible under the Awami League government. People have seen the large-scale ballot-staffing with their own eyes during the election.
The Election Commission has miserably failed to play its neutral role. The irregularities in the city corporation elections are a bad signal for politics. Whatever has happened in the name of election will have far-reaching effect on politics and society at large.
The BNP alleges that the government managed the elections with the aid of the Election commission and the law enforces. This indicates that future elections may also be managed in the same manner, the party fears.
Members of the police did not intervene when stuffing of ballot papers were being practised in polling booths. Magistrates were mere silent spectators as nobody called for their help. The message was clear.
It was the day of the ruling party men to win victory for their candidates. Reports say the government deployed as many as 80,000 law enforcers to guard the polling. Over 27,000 Ansars and VDB men were also deployed for election duty.
Many have questioned whether BNP'S decision to boycott the polls midway was right, pointing out that if they had stuck to the end, they could have snatched the victory.
Print and electronic media journalists were not allowed to cover the polls at various centres in Dhaka and Chittagong. At least 10 journalists were assaulted by the ruling party men. Still, the Chief Election Commissioner claimed that the elections were held in a fair, peaceful and festive manner.
The European Union has called for investigations into irregularities in the city polls, claiming it has credible reports of rigging, intimidation and violence. It urged the political parties to engage in a constructive manner for long-term stability and democratic development of the country.
The UN, US and the UK called for impartial investigation into all allegations of irregularities.
The Election Working Group (EWG), a non-partisan group of 28 leading civil society organisations in Bangladesh, said that the city corporation elections were not credible due to malpractices and irregularities.
The elections were marred by a significant level of electoral fraud and violence. The misdeeds that were committed have made the process untrustworthy. As many as 28 EWG observers were not allowed to enter the polling centres. Two of their observers were beaten, the organisation alleged .
The government is unhappy about the focus of the international community on city corporation elections. It is clear that it is in no mood to take cognisance of the concerns expressed by the UN and those of many countries including international agencies.
The BNP is observing the situation. Whatever be their next course of action, it is hoped that they will not repeat the same mistakes of the past. Hartal and other harsh programmes will not be effective. Confrontational politics does more harm than good.
The writer is an economist and columnist.
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