Ground Report

Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh along with the military backed interim government has overcome a very big obstacle in the path of election process. As the result of the first set of local government election is accepted by candidates, it can be termed as a success for the EC Road Map for Election. As per unofficial result of EC, 4 City Corporation and 8 of 9 Municipalities Mayoral Posts were swept by the Bangladesh Awami League (AL) backed candidates. As of the road map, at first EC started preparing a voter list and went for phase by phase local government elections on the basis of the completion of voter list of the particular locality. The August 4 election was the first set of local government elections which was an acid test for EC. As of the political happenings of Bangladesh it could be said that EC obtained a good grade in the Acid Test. Analysts are assuming that after this result BNP could be go for a ‘no election under emergency’ program which is very good in sound and need almost no level of power for any political demonstration On the other hand, AL leadership could not be enthusiastic for boycotting any election in future as the first result is in favor of them. But for future political gain, AL would not be in a position that they could avoid the demand of total withdrawal of emergency before the parliament poll. This political situation could make difficulty for the election process, the analysts added. So, the acceptance of the result of the first set of election is not the end, rather it is the beginning of new pattern of problems, Analysts stated further. Political Analysts also observed that in Upazila Parishad (sub-district council) election, which may hold before the parliament, grassroots level, the AL leaders will be in a mood to participate, though Central Leaders are demanding parliament first. However BNP may not be interested in the Upazila election as well. In consideration of this state of affairs, the government, EC and politicians should work together carefully, and do everything with a compliant mentality. #