It's time they must quit

On January 16, almost immediately after the High Court verdict against the CEC not to go for a fresh voter list, the number of commissioners was increased by the government. Two new commissioners, SM Zakaria and Mahfuzur Rahman, were appointed at a time when the disagreement between the CEC and the two existing commissioners started to sharpen.

The appointment, made in exceptional haste, clearly speaks of the motive of the government. Disregarding the High Court verdict, the CEC having got a majority in the commission, continued to carry on the work of preparing the new voter list.

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One may recall the remarks made by SM Zakaria in the media about Commissioner Monsef and Commissioner Mohammed and their "ignorance of the law and incompetence as election commissioner". Newly appointed Commissioner Mahfuzur Rahman also raised doubts about the validity of the High Court orders.

The image of the Commission has been greatly tarnished by the verdict of the Supreme Court against the very decision that these two new commissioners, along with the CEC, have been relentlessly fighting for. The court decision dealt a severe blow to the credibility of the Election Commission. In reality it is the "gang of three" which has tarnished the image of the Commission.

Soon after the CEC assumed office he got himself into various controversies including the holding of a dialogue with almost non-existent political parties (except the ruling party alliance) and boycott by the major opposition parties including Awami League, which received 41 percent votes in the last general elections. Ignoring the opinions of the then election commissioners the CEC MA Aziz unilaterally decided to prepare a new voter list. He did not pay attention to any legal advice and completely disregarded the opinions of the other stake holders.

Political pressures continue to erode the integrity of the Election Commission. Public confidence is lacking in the Commission and its officials. People, now, not only question the ability of the commissioners but also doubt their intentions. For the Commission to preserve its integrity it must not only be independent, but must also be perceived to be so by the general public and the political parties.

The commission's latest decision to update the voter list by asking the eligible voters to come to the Commission and register is a joke. This decision again speaks about the competence of the commissioners and the officers in the Commission. They are in effect asking millions of voters to travel miles to come to the Upazila office. The decision is not only illegal but also seems to have been taken with mischievous intentions.

The public has no confidence in the CEC Justice MA Aziz and the two commissioners, SM Zakaria and Justice (retd) Mahfuzur Rahman, in their ability to conduct a free and fair election. All the opposition political parties have expressed their lack of trust in them and have also publicly demanded their removal. Therefore it's time they must quit.

Feroz M. Hassan, a former founder-secretary general of FEMA is Senior Joint Secretary General of the National Executive Committee of Bikolpo Dhara Bangladesh.