Law enforcers had a responsible role to play

Tasmiah Nuhiya Ahmed of DOT : 
The Inspector General of Police very recently has been reported to have said that the law and order situation centering the upcoming parliamentary election is better than ever, and law enforcers are well prepared to ensure a peaceful environment during the polls. If the prevailing situation continues, we will be able to deliver a wonderful election. On the allegation by opposition parties that police are not under the control of Election Commission (EC), the police chief said that we are taking actions on specific allegations.
The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) yesterday called upon members of law enforcement agencies to ensure overall security so that people can cast their votes in a free, fair and festive atmosphere on the day of December 30 national election.
Before this the leaders of the BNP-led alliance on several occasions alleged that police were playing bias role against opposition candidates and activists.
Different civil society bodies also expressed concerns about the absence of a level playing field and the continued attacks on the opposition camps in different parts of the country. Another report suggests that in less than five days after the candidates officially hit the campaign trail on December 11, a number of opposition candidates—including prominent figures such as Dr Kamal Hossain, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Mirza Abbas and Reza Kibria—came under attack from their opponents, a trend that has since continued unabated. Allegedly, this was partly because the police failed to ensure the safety of all candidates. Even it was reported that some officers of the law enforcing force have appeared obviously biased against the opposition. The said report further suggests that Awami League (AL) campaigns have also faced attacks, but not to the extent to be called widespread—far from it. In fact, several ministers and MPs from AL used state protocols including police protection. This has created a major imbalance between the two coalitions. If the EC cannot assert its authority over the police, so much so that it is free from the partisan government’s control, the prospect of a free and fair election will remain bleak. (The effect of partisan policing, Daily Star, 26 December 2018).
People’s vote is very crucial for a credible election and it is the duty of the law enforcers along with other responsible bodies to ensure that the election is done in an open and fair atmosphere. We hope that the law enforcers will be able to ensure that people can unite and overcome all challenges to appear for voting at the centres during the election tomorrow.
On the day before election, the general people are still looking forward to this election to get a democratic government being chosen through a free and fair election and it is hoped that the law enforcers will act neutrally for upholding people’s wish.
The writer is Executive Editor, The Daily Our Time