Conducive environment still not there: EC
The Election Commission says that the expected environment is yet to be created for holding a free, fair, participatory, and festive election, which is less than three months away.
The EC in a concept note prepared for the participants of a workshop also said, "Parties are trying to show their strength and how much support they have on the street by holding processions and meetings. But the commission does not think that it is resolving or ending the crisis."
It said the political parties have not held dialogues to solve their differences and reach a consensus, and the rivals are firm on their decisions and stances regarding the polls-time government.
"It is a political matter. The Election Commission has nothing to do in this regard," the note added.
The EC will hold the workshop titled "12th National Elections: Role of the media, expectations of the nation" at its office on October 26. Editors and senior journalists are being invited to the workshop.
In a multi-party democracy, there could be differences of opinions and disagreements among the parties and there could be crises. It is fruitful to seek solutions through dialogue discarding resentment, mistrust, and a lack of confidence, the note read.
Tolerance and solidarity are keys to sustainable and stable democracy. The commission does not deal with democracy, rather it works with elections, the concept note said.
"But elections are the life and carrier of democracy. There could be a risk of jeopardising democracy if the crisis in holding the election continues incessantly."
While the Awami League says the election will be held under the current government as per the constitution, the BNP is demanding a caretaker government, saying the elections under the current administration will not be free and fair.
For the last couple of months, the AL and the BNP have been holding rallies and counter-rallies across the country.
Contacted, AL presidium member Abdur Rahman said there is a favourable environment for the election. "It is not clear what the EC means … ," he said.
People are eagerly waiting to cast their vote for the candidates of their choice, he said, adding that if a large number of people vote, it can be termed a participatory election.
"There is still two to three months' time before the election and the situation will be more favourable," he added.
The commission is likely to announce the polls schedule in the first week of November.
Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, BNP senior joint secretary general, said the EC utterly failed to create a conducive environment for holding a free and fair election, which is its job, and not it is shifting the blame.
"The commission is acting as the mouthpiece of the ruling party and that's why the conducive environment has not been created," he said.
The EC's concept note also said there are adequate laws in the country regarding elections. However, it is not easy to implement the laws to get the expected results if there is no parallel interaction between the law and the political culture.
The EC with support from the government is working with honesty, devotion, and sincerity to make the next general polls free, fair, neutral and peaceful. "Despite this, distrust is being expressed about the Election Commission from various quarters," it said.
An election becomes free, fair, and participatory through the collective cooperation and participation of all.
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