The Opposition however want this reform process to go a little further. They want the two other recently appointed Election Commissioners to also quit.

In the meantime the 'joga-khicuri' (confusion) continues to grow. The obduracy of the Election Commission and its officials has become for them an ego-factor.

The Opposition for some time have been pointing out that the Election Commission has failed to discharge its constitutional duties. They initiated a judicial process to establish their views in this regard. Readers already know of cases being filed in the High Court, appeals made and clarifications and directives issued in this regard. Eventually, the penny dropped among the senior leadership of the government. First, it was the Law Minister, and then it was the LGRD Minister and then the Communications Minister. After that, it has become almost fashionable for members of the Cabinet to support such a view against the CEC and the activities of the EC.

Nevertheless, the CEC and his colleagues have been like the proverbial horse that can be dragged to the pond but cannot be forced to drink.

The latest twist in the tale came four days ago with the Election Commission deciding to send its officials from July 1 to villages to undertake a month-long revision of the voter list. Similarly, election officials at District and Upazila headquarters have apparently also been directed to undertake similar action. However, the EC, while doing so, has unfortunately kept the gates of controversy open.

Any planned revision of the electoral list will still not be undertaken by going from house to house. Contrary to the Election Act 1982, the people will have to come to the Election Officials to get enlisted. In simple terms, we are where we were. This new decision means that the dead will have to be taught to rise like Lazarus, so that their names can be deleted. Similarly, all those who are mentally challenged will have to come from their asylums to have their names struck off from the rolls. In addition, those who have turned 18 will have to suitably prove their claims before they can be included in the rolls.

Mind you, we are talking here of not one million people but well over ninety million expected voters out of a population of nearly 150 million.

I Just cannot understand how anybody sane can think that review of such massive figures can be undertaken by a 'total of 83 Registration Officers (RO) and 6273 Assistant Registration Officers (ARO) posted at suitable places in the Wards of Union Parishads (UP), Municipalities and City Corporations' within the short time available with the Election Commission?

The Election Commission has also informed the press that 'all necessary forms will be available from them (ROs and AROs) and that any eligible person can apply for inclusion, correction and amendment of his or her name on the voter list.'

However, even this enlistment process will not be that simple. People submitting applications for registration as voters will also have to attach receipts of municipal tax payments or house rent receipts or receipts of payments to village guards. There is also the pre-condition of submitting affidavits of age or attested copies of SSC certificates with applications in prescribed forms. It has also been mentioned that no one will be able to obtain the prescribed form (No. 2) for enlisting himself on the voter list without submission of the required documents.

The Election Commission appears to have forgotten that nearly 45 percent of the population in this country is functionally illiterate. In that context, it can only be termed as foolish to expect that the voters will be able to complete this exercise as expected by the EC.

This whole approach can only be termed as an effort to discourage people from coming forward and participating in a process that is part of their civic right.

On June 14, the Election Commission cancelled its earlier decision of using the information collected through its controversial drive. They have however not really moved forward from their rigidity. Intransigence and shortsightedness have hampered their perceptions.

The Election Commission is being run today on an autocratic basis. The CEC's interpretation of the latest court ruling on the voter list blatantly ignores the spirit and intention of the Court's order. Transparency and authenticity are being sacrificed. This can only lead to a political crisis.

The Election Commission has to understand that its very credibility is at stake. The Government has to also realise that time is running out and steps have to be taken on a priority basis to solve the problem.

I have mentioned in my earlier columns that reforms need to be undertaken in many areas of the Election Commission and the functioning of its Secretariat. This includes accountability within its organogram and independence not only in its functioning but also in its financial resourcing. I have also pointed out the need to bring maintenance of law and order in the polling areas, during the period of elections, under the authority of the Election Commission. I have also indicated the need to have, if possible, electronic voting, and if that cannot be done, then transparent voting boxes. These steps will ensure a free and fair election, the results of which will be acceptable to all. There will also be no charges of election engineering or fraud.

However, the first step in this process should be the voluntary resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner and the two other Election Commissioners. They have unnecessarily created a complex situation. They have to go because people on both sides of the spectrum have lost faith in their credibility. The selection of these individuals to these high posts were, unfortunately, undertaken with questionable design. Instead of discussion and consensus, we witnessed unilateral selection.

One hopes that better judgment will prevail. If, however, this does not take place, then the government needs to think seriously of the available legal alternatives.

Good governance requires firmness and bipartisanship.

Both these factors will be crucial in the coming days. The Election Commission has turned into a stable that needs a strong broom and an intensive cleaning. The government could subsequently appoint a fresh set of officials who are above controversy and whose credibility is not in question. The government could also strengthen the moral threshold of the Election Commission by enhancing its independence.

Muhammad Zamir is a former Secretary and Ambassador who can be reached at [email protected]