We are surprised to see that the election commission (EC) is yet to take any action on allegations that many candidates were barred from filing nominations for the upcoming Union Parishad elections. According to media reports, candidates, particularly BNP and Awami League rebels, faced threats, intimidation and physical assault from ruling AL men when they tried to file nominations. In his parliamentary speech on February 28, Workers Party President and Civil Aviation Minister Rashed Khan Menon also alleged that his party men have been subjected to similar impediments.

Ensuring submission of nominations by all the candidates is a prerequisite to holding fair polls. The EC is entrusted primarily with this responsibility. Quite contrarily, the EC seems to be indifferent to the alleged irregularities in the electoral process. The reason given by the EC -- that if it starts addressing complaints by candidates it would not be able to maintain the election schedule - is unconvincing. We want to ask whether it is justified to hold a flawed election just to maintain the election schedule A questionable election will certainly put the EC's credibility further at stake and hurt the grassroots democratic polity. We urge the EC to take cognizance of the complaints and probe these as soon as possible It should take immediate actions if they are found to be true