Voters have spoken

Where there was so much of money being flaunted around, where the selection of the polling officials left much to be desired and where intimidating utterances were traded freely, the majesty of the people's verdict comes as a sobering thought and an unmistakable reminder that people's judgment will assert itself ultimately.

Mr. Mohiuddin must be congratulated on winning the mayoral seat for the third consecutive time. Felicitations are also in order for the EC, the law enforcing agencies and the major political parties for their contribution in the smooth conduct of the election. The ruling alliance has accepted the verdict of the people of Chittagong with equanimity, a commendable gesture indeed in our context.

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What is heartening to note is the fact that although the major political parties had gone to extreme lengths in harnessing their efforts to see their candidate elected, it is the merit of the candidate, his credibility and credentials, his acceptability and popularity and his efficiency were the considerations that swayed the voters in making their choice of the candidate. This is an object lesson for those who feel that money and muscle power, political clout and dubious links are enough, and that the people would vote for any Dick or Harry that political parties chose to put up as their candidates.

However, there are certain things that appeared to mar what was primarily an well-organised election. According to some local and international observers the process of vote casting in some polling stations were inordinately slow, there was mismanagement in some polling centres, and presence of false voters in some polling stations and casting of false votes were noticed.

The EC must draw lessons from the CCC polls and address in all seriousness the observations of the monitors to ensure that these are averted in future.