Wide areas not covered yet

According to media reports, on the ninth day today, large numbers of areas in the metropolis, in the outskirts, as well as numerous villages are yet to be visited by the EC enumerators working at the field level. The scenario at the inaccessible areas is even worse with residents remaining in total darkness about the process of updating. It is only obvious that if the field officer cannot reach those areas within the given time, a large number of false names will remain in the list, which could be used by vested quarters on the poll day to tilt the vote result to their side. Therefore, it is the solemn responsibility of the EC to ensure that no such loopholes exist in the voter list.

It is out of utmost concern that we are writing again and again in this column about the imperatives of having an acceptable voter list on the table on the basis of which a credible election could be held. This all-important instrument should have been ready by now had the chief election commissioner (CEC), who is on leave at the moment, been more proactive and open to suggestions of concerned citizens. He failed to perceive that all the good suggestions that flowed in the direction of the EC from the civil society and various political parties, including the four-party alliance, had stemmed from good intent having no hidden agenda whatsoever. But, the CEC chose to react negatively to the suggestions, often mistaking those as intended to malign his authority. His legendary stubbornness has already cost the country some precious lives, property and its good image.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

We may say that it was a sign of good gesture that the EC has signed a memorandum of understanding with the European Union (EU) under which the EU will send about 150 poll observers to Bangladesh. We believe that such visits of international poll observers would further motivate the EC officials and participating political parties to ensure that the election is held in a cordial, free and fair manner.