Rebuilding trust holds the key

Unveiling its work plan for the 12th national polls, the Election Commission yesterday said that gaining the trust of the political parties is a major challenge.

It also underscored the need for having the parties agree to the use of Electronic Voting Machines, which would be deployed in as many as 150 constituencies.

It set a target of holding the polls by January 29, 2024, about 15 months from now.

The EC roadmap came at a time when the BNP is on the streets saying it would not take part in the polls conducted by this EC and that a caretaker government must be in power during polls.

Even though it spoke of confidence-building, it has decided to use EVMs despite opposition from major political parties like the BNP and the main opposition in parliament Jatiya Party (Ershad).

The ruling Awami League and some of its alliance partners are in favour of the machines being used.

At least 19 out of the 39 registered political parties directly oppose the use of EVMs in the polls. Some of them raised their voices regarding this during their talks with the EC held between July 17 and July 31.

Nine parties, including the BNP, skipped the talks, saying they have no confidence in the EC. They claimed every government influences the EC and that the EC is independent on paper only.

Yesterday, four election commissioners unwrapped the polls working plan at the EC office. CEC Kazi Habibul Awal was on sick leave.

Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Ahsan Habib Khan said the purpose of the plans is to hold a free, fair and participatory election.

"We are facing a lot of questions and it seems there is a lack of confidence in the commission. Through our actions and steps, we have moved ahead towards gaining trust," he said.

CHALLENGES

The EC identified 14 challenges that include ensuring the impartiality of field-level administrative and police officials on election duty, law and order, compliance with the electoral code of conduct, and a level playing field.

Some other challenges are controlling money and muscle power; prevention of voter fraud; grabbing of polling stations; ballot hijacking; ensuring unfettered access of candidates, polling agents and voters to polling stations; and deployment of an adequate number of law enforcement personnel and observers.

EC'S WAYS OUT

The EC in its election roadmap mentioned 19 ways to overcome the challenges.

They include keeping the use of EVMs limited to cities and sadar upazilas, installing CCTV cameras in polling booths, appointing EC officials as returning and assistant returning officers in as many constituencies as possible, and implementing the recommendations of political parties in accordance with the law.

It said it would ask the government to ensure that all political parties can conduct campaigns smoothly, no government agency files any cases for harassing anyone, prompt action is taken when a law is broken, and illegal arms are seized and the legal ones are deposited.

It plans to meet the cabinet secretary and secretaries of public administration, public security division and others and chiefs of police, Rab, BGB, Coast Guard, Ansar and VDP so that they instruct their subordinates to perform election duties honestly and impartially.

The EC says the deployment of executive magistrates and law enforcers since the announcement of the election schedule, strict enforcement of the electoral code of conduct, and fixing the time, date, and place for holding public meetings would help the EC overcome the challenges.

WHY EVM?

The commission in its working plan said there was disagreement between political parties over EVMs.

But the EC made the decision to use EVMs as most political parties that took part in the talks wanted the machines used.

It said 29 parties took part in the talks and 12 of them clearly took a stance in favour of the EVMs and six stood against them being used. Eleven wanted the machines used but gave some conditions.

Besides, there is no chance of voter fraud when EVMs are used. So far, no one has been able to prove that vote manipulation is possible in EVMs, it said.

Highlighting the constitutional obligation to hold the polls by January 29, 2024, Election Commissioner Md Alamgir said, "We have tried to take on board everyone's opinion on this action plan. The things that are under our jurisdiction have been kept. However, the recommendations, which are in conflict with the constitution, have been left out."

He said the EC would implement its action plan and overcome all challenges.

"There are still one year and four months in our hands before the next general polls. Although many people are lacking confidence in the EC now, they will get their confidence back after seeing our activities," he said.