CEC Huda vs EC Mahbub: Who is telling lies?

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda has refused to take the responsibility for the violence and loss of lives during the union parishad (UP) elections. 

At least 85 people have been reportedly killed and around 900 people injured during the five phases of the UP polls.

Earlier on Wednesday, Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukder criticised the current state of elections, saying "In the so-called vote battle, there are only battles now, no voting."

In response, CEC Nurul Huda yesterday said, "EC Mahbub always tells a lie."

"He always says things like this. What he said is a complete lie. These are irrelevant words, a propaganda against the Election Commission. If there were no voters, where did 75% of the votes come from?" the CEC told reporters after a workshop at Dhaka's Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel. 

"There is no consistency in his words. He said it on purpose. Maybe he has an agenda. He made the remarks to materialise that agenda and to degrade the Election Commission," Nurul Huda added.

Blaming the candidates and their accomplices for the election violence, he said, "We will not take responsibility for the violence.

Elections become violent due to the quarrels between candidates and their counterparts. Such violence never occurs because of the electoral system."

Referring to the violence during the fifth phase of UP election held Wednesday, he said, "All the violent incidents took place outside and far from the poll centres. So, the Election Commission is not responsible for it at all. The candidates and their accomplices are responsible."

Asked if there was any weakness in the administration, he said there was no violence due to the weakness of the administration. On the contrary, the administration tries its best to maintain law and order and in many cases they are also injured.

Regarding the punishment of the guilty, the CEC said when any violent incident takes place, criminal law is involved with it. We file criminal cases. There will be investigations, and those who are guilty will be tried.

Experts' reaction over CEC remarks

Former election commissioner M Sakhawat Hossain and former IGP Nurul Huda have criticised the CEC for taking no responsibility for the violence and deaths centring the elections. 

"Why is the CEC making such a comment? A CEC should not make such a remark. This is very degrading for the Election Commission," said Sakhawat Hossain.

He said, "The CEC is fully responsible for the election violence. Everything including the administration and law enforcement agencies works under his command during election time. He has been endowed with the power to use them and contain violence when an election is going on. He is not utilising his power."  

Sakhawat Hossain observed that only for this remark of the CEC, the court can issue a Suo Moto rule to the commission. "Anyone can appear before the court, seeking explanation over his remark."

"Law and the RPO [representation of the people order] clearly define the commissioners' duty. The CEC's remark is a violation of the law and an insult to the constitutional body. By this remark, the CEC just avoided his responsibility and showed arrogance to the people," he added.

The reality is that they are responsible for all kinds of violence in time of election, concluded Sakhawat Hossain.

Former inspector general of police (IGP) Nurul Huda also said, "The CEC is wrong. He made a wrong statement. He is responsible for each incident occurring in an election area." 

He said, "During election time, command of the administration and law enforcement agencies is handed over to them. All the decisions are made as per the EC's plan and procedure during the time. Everything is controlled by them, even the movement of the people. So, if he refuses to take the responsibility, it will be unacceptable."

The constitution provides the EC an immense power which they can use independently. From his remark, it seems, he is not using the authority to hold a free and fair election, the former IGP added.