Barring opposition from filing nomination in UP elections

MUSCLE flexing, intimidation, confinement and even kidnapping the opposition aspirants by the ruling party men to put them aside from the races of the first phase of Union Parishad (UP) elections scheduled to be held on March 22 has raised the old question about the ability of the Election Commission (EC) to hold free, fair and participatory elections during the running incumbency.
Local representatives of the EC and law enforcers, who are absolutely obedient to the government, have failed to disguise them, as per media outlets, under a sugarcoated “neutrality” during elections time that has resulted in a biased, exclusive, non-participatory elections involving public money, a mockery indeed. Unbeatable reluctance of the EC, mechanical impediment to file allegations, and all-out harassment have already marked the upcoming polls, which could only be twisted by the strictness of administration. The recent past polls under this EC were a farce; the nation would not like to see any farce anymore.
The UP election is set to generate heat in the political landscape, as the ruling Awami League and opposition BNP will formally step into the battle of ballots along with other parties. For the first time, the parties will be able to pick their grassroots leaders to vie for UP chairman posts with the party’s electoral symbol “boat” and “sheaf of paddy”.
But on the last day of filing nominations for 752 unions, many candidates from the opposition tents were barred from submitting their candidatures as ruling party men intimidated them. The EC, like as in previous elections, in this instance has also talked tough action against polls officials and law enforcers if found guilty of negligence in carrying out duties and assured all-out preparation for holding free elections, but the Monday’s inactive role in foiling the ruling party men’s bid has again made us see the face of the UP polls.
BNP has alleged that many of his party candidates were barred from submitting nomination papers, and even their papers were torn up. The candidates came under attack, and were not allowed to submit nomination papers at several unions. The news story carried by a vernacular popular daily also supportive to BNP leader’s claims.
The EC again and again failed to prove its neutrality and ability to hold free, fair and inclusive elections, but shamelessly expressed their old rhetoric. People are really fed-up of the continuous failure of the EC. Election as a mean of governance has been fading away from the consciousness of citizens for the partisan role of the EC that will never create a conducive atmosphere.