f f rpfiE Chief Election I Commissioner (CEC) JL sought active cooperation of the army, navy and air force for holding free and fair elections and ensuring voting rights of the electorate.” It is simply unwarranted and uncalled for. The present Chief Election Commissioner also in the meantime has become disputed to an extent. However, neither he nor his predecessors could be compared with TN Seshan of India. Very recently. propo -al of the Prime Minister of India for holding election in Kashmir has been turned down by TN Seshan showing various plausible reasons. But unfortunately the very wisdom and courage of our Chief Election Commissioners have always been lacking in exercising whatever powers available within their Jurisdiction.

The way the present CEC is seeking active support of the armed forces for con-du -ting the ensuing election has got no prima facte basis. It may be further mentioned, perhaps, that Election Commission. seemingly, has not given any prior thought to the matter before proposing for calling in army during the ensuing Jatlya Sangsad election for supervision rather our armed forces are being brought in in such an issue where there is possibility of their being blamed and be disputed by the losing party/partks

In Pakistan and Bangladesh. on the pleas of narrow political squabbles, economic crisis and law and order situation, the armed forces took over the administration. Bu* ultimately they floated political parties, under whatever guise it may be. and ruled for some years and left power putting the country In disarray and dismay. They Jud cannot solve the problems of the people ratter. In the process, they

often create enormous problems, and their ordinance, proclamations etc become constitutional hazards for the future.

Both in Pakistan and Bangladesh contexts, we can see historically that hardly a civilian government had survived full term without being intervened by the armed forces. However, civilian institutions arc blamed off and on that they cannot run the country in an effective and democratic manner. But It is continuation of the process that matters. In England, Conservative and Labour parties. and in America Democratic and Republican parties had taken proper shapes through hundred years of practice. Even in India after practising democracy uninterruptedly for about 45 years, they even call for so-called family rule but do not seek army intervention. In the words of late President John F Kennedy, democracy comes through experience and experiments: It may take years together to give it the correct and appropriate shape.

In 1991 fortunately we achieved a democratic government and they are going to complete five years very shortly. But calling armed forces to supervise the ensuing election seems unfortunate and unwarranted. Whatever power conferred upon the Election Commission. till today they have not exercised that independently, assertively and courageously. Otherwise the present crisis would not have arisen at all. So sensible people should understand that the Chief Election Commissioner may not be doing the correct thing at the present critical Juncture of the state affairs by calling armed forces to supervise the ensuing election

The irrtter is an advocate. Supreme Court of Bangladesh