An albatross around the nation's neck

As regarding the neutrality expected of a CEC, his credibility has been suspect right from the beginning due to his nexus with the establishment who, among other things, rescued him from his non-compliant EC (Election Commission) members and replaced them with loyal ones.

As a matter of quid pro quo, the CEC has, of course, been propitious in staffing the commission at all of its echelons with the compliant cadres of the ruling alliance in a rather blatant manner. So much so that even important ministers of the government expressed on occasion their embarrassment, reservation, and concern, not only for what he already did, but also for his schizophrenic reaction to foreign dignitaries and journalists, as well as his mercurial views from time to time.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

The man's peculiar personal chemistry seems to be a constant source of worry also for the government, which gives an impression of already considering the CEC a liability. The mid-ranking BNP leaders are openly vocal against his antics -- particularly with regard to his refusal to go door-to-door for preparing a fresh voter list. Then there is the continuing question about election expenditure.

It is, however, not for nothing that the present CEC became a choice for the government out of all people. Yet the government did not perhaps want him to be so naked in obliging it in the turbulent situation now obtaining in the country. But unfortunately for the government, neither the CEC nor his two other lieutenants in the EC understand these subtleties.

In the meantime, the public complaint against the EC has reached its crescendo, with an ever-swelling number of protesters taking to the streets and demanding his removal. But the CEC seems to be enjoying his clout by cozying up with his loyal members of the commission behind a reinforced protection barrier of his citadel in Agargaon as the people battle police in the street. What a beginning of an electoral process considered both at home and abroad the most crucial since independence!

In a queer dichotomy, as the government attitude hardens in favour of the present EC and the public fury intensities to remove it, there is growing skepticism as to whether an election will be held as due in early 2007 -- let alone the question of a credible one. Yet, only a fair and neutral election conducted in a timely manner by an honest and acceptable EC can douse the flame of discontent fast sweeping the country. Even if an election is forced upon the people under the present EC, not only its legitimacy will be put to question, the country will continue to be in turmoil. It is not a risk worth taking for the sake of an ignominious EC, which already did a good deal of damage by vitiating the country's political ambience.

But the post of the CEC being a constitutional one, once appointed his removal cannot effected through the stroke of a pen; neither will the present CEC voluntarily quit nor can he be hounded out. The only way he can be gotten rid of is through a supreme judicial council, which alone can remove him for his moral turpitude. But the initiative has to come from the government. Would it be to the taste of the government to accept such a climb down?

The judicial experts of the country have already advocated the CEC's removal through the supreme judicial council for which they identified the present CEC to be the most appropriate case. Even the noted political observers find such action to be an opportunity for the alliance government to demonstrate its generous intentions in regaining some of its lost support. Or else the present CEC, however servile he may be, is bound to back-fire against the government's hidden agenda.

The authorities should be left in no doubt that the present CEC has since lost him moral standing to be at the helm of a body which plays a significant role in shaping the nation's fate. If it is bent upon deriving a short-term gain through the mischievous EC, it has be prepared for a long-term disaster which the nation can ill afford to sustain. In addition, the EC should be brought to book for alleged financial embezzlement and other irregularities still being committed.

A credible election under a credible EC is the need of the hour. Hinging on it is the future shape of things in Bangladesh, which has already suffered from terrible misrule, corruption, and rise of militancy. Unfortunately an albatross -- a highly biased and immoral EC -- hangs around our neck. The albatross must be discarded before we can proceed towards an enlightened future.

Brig ( retd) Hafiz is former DG of BIISS.