Editorial
BNP's unfortunate clean chit to the EC
A case of political posturing
IT is very surprising, to say the least, that two ministers of the BNP would pay a visit to the Election Commission and give, what is to our mind, a clean chit to the CEC on its activities related to the updating of the voter list. Given the EC's recent track record, it is most unfortunate. The comments, compared to the observations, not long ago, of two senior most members of the BNP, that reflected rather their negative opinion on the doings of the CEC, lead us to think that either the BNP leadership is not on the same grid on the EC performance, or else it is up to the worst form of electioneering politics. Otherwise, one would not be so profusely adulatory to say that he was satisfied with the present activities of the EC, given the series of irrational action and thoroughly obtuse position of the CEC on the voter list. Those that want a foolproof voter list would certainly be dismayed to hear the BNP ministers who called on the CEC recently, echo his view that belittles the majority's concern about the voter list preparation. When the EC's shenanigans have been so abundantly exposed, which had given rise to issues that need not have occurred had the EC acted more astutely, the remarks of the two gentlemen are highly misplaced. One wonders whether it is an exercise in damage control, that the EC was subjected to adverse criticism of government high ups including the law minister, that has caused the BNP brain trust to rethink and prompt them to act to regain ground that they feel they might have ceded to the opposition and which they feel might give the opposition the upper ground in the next election. Every one is interested to see that the forthcoming national election is held freely, fairly and credibly. But the imperceptive, unintelligent and vacillating position of the CEC, on the singular most important matter that helps a credible election take place, the voter list, has divested him of even a kernel of respectability and credibility that the head of a statutory body must have. The recent comments of the two ministers are nothing but political posturing by the ruling party that is better avoided.
|
|
