There are two distinct challenges before the nation today. How to hold a free and fair election, and how to avoid bloodshed in doing so. If fact these two challenges are in fact two aspects of the same challenge. If there is violence then there cannot be any free and fair election, and if there is no free and fair election, the violence will not end.

The truth is for us to achieve that goal our two major political parties will have to show more restraint and a greater understanding of the challenges before the caretaker government. The AL must be commended for the maturity and circumspection they have shown in the last few days, which is in marked contrast to their style of politics shown earlier. The AL must continue this restraint, for nothing can be gained by violence. We would have liked AL to have condemned the barbaric killing of two political activists during their siege programme commensurate with renunciation of violence by all other parties. But that is too much to expect from our politicians. Instead we have regrettably seen heightening of threatening rhetorics from all quarters, including the former prime minister.

For us to proceed towards calmer political waters, there has to be a consensus on the changing of the CEC and reconstituting the EC. BNP is seen to be hardening its position on Justice Aziz. We would urge them not to shift from their original position when they appeared softer on the CEC. It is our view that Justice Aziz lost the moral authority to hold that constitutional post when he disregarded High Court ruling and when the Supreme Court also ruled against him. When the two highest courts of the land find cause against the CEC, how can the public in general trust him.

There is a sense of relief in the public mind. How long it will last depends really on the BNP and the AL. We urge to give us that respite.