Editorial
Depoliticise the administration
Recasting Election Commission (EC) essential
We commented in this column very recently that the two most important actions that the caretaker chief must take immediately are ensuring the formation of his council of advisors and taking all necessary steps to guarantee a free and fair election. While the former has been done, the latter requires equally urgent action, if not more. Towards holding a free, transparent and fair election the imperative for the caretaker chief and the president is to recast the EC. Needless to say the parliamentary election should not only be held fairly and freely it must be seen by the people that it has indeed been so. And for that to happen, the people must have trust in the transparency of the actions of the EC and confidence in those that run it. Regrettably, there are reservations on both the counts. The position of The Daily Star on the CEC has been unambiguous. The readers might recall that we had urged upon him to leave his post when the highest court of law of the country passed its no confidence on the action of the EC regarding updating of the voter list. Not only did the CEC not follow the set procedures of updating the list, he also disregarded the High Court's directive to follow the prescribed methods under the pretext of appeal to the Supreme Court, which he lost. That has caused him to lose all moral grounds to hold on to a very important democratic institution like the EC. Similar reservation has also been expressed about some of the commissioners appointed later, particularly about one elevated from the post of EC secretary. Their removal will certainly eliminate the perception of opacity on the functioning of the EC. Added to this is also the need to make the voter list more accurate. This must be undertaken immediately and advice of the experts may be sought in this regard. Voter ID card with photographs is the most ideal arrangement but constraints of time may preclude such arrangement. However, the EC must consider seriously having transparent ballot boxes. It is also essential to have a depoliticised administration for holding a free and fair election. And for this the chief advisor should cancel all postings that were made by the erstwhile ruling party on partisan grounds with the election in mind. Although some changes have been made we feel these are cosmetic and extremely inadequate. Changes must also be effected at the upazilla and district levels if the confidence of the people in the system is to be restored. These are imperatives that brook no delay.
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