Overzealous bureaucracy

The CCC polls have generated a tremendous amount of enthusiasm in the port city. That is no doubt a positive development, but what we have noted with concern is that even the bureaucracy is showing signs of getting overzealous. And the Election Commission (EC) has already acted twice to rein two government officials in. A police commissioner had to be withdrawn for his role in the campaigning and after that the divisional commissioner has been castigated for crossing the limits of his jurisdiction. All these point to the executive branch's tendency to get involved in the elections in a way that would spoil its neutral character. The EC, however, has acted with fortitude that deserves appreciation. That is something wholesome for our political culture.

There is a lot to be said on the possible repercussions of the bureaucracy overstepping its limits. The government must not be oblivious of the fact that the whole nation is watching the polls and expecting that it will be held in the best traditions of democracy. The ruling coalition should not erase from its memory the Magura debacle. It has to learn from its past experience.

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The purely strategic and tactical points must not be overlooked either. True, the CCC polls could be a pointer to the public opinion, but the results will by no means loosen the coalition's hold on the parliament. The opposition, for its part, should not make it a "do or die issue".

The polls are being held at a time when people are frustrated with the recent happenings that indicate that decent politics is being replaced by violence and vendetta. So successful holding of the polls will go some way to restoring people's faith in the existing political system. The parties in the fray should attach due importance to this aspect of the issue.