Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukder has come under spotlight by his comment on the lack of level playing field during elections. He also had several cutting exchanges with the Chief Election Commissioner on the matter.
The much publicized sharp exchanges have had an adverse on the field with political specialists saying this sort of contradictory comments during poll time is not expected.
On Dec 17, while talking to the media, Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukder said, “I do not feel that a level playing field exists; this term has become hollow.”
Refuting this, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda said, “There’s level playing field; some minor clashes have taken place which is not a big issue.”
On Wednesday (Dec 19), another Election Commissioner Rafiqul Islam said, “It’s not possible for us to ensure level playing field because many parties feel they are small in size.”
Meanwhile, Mahbub Talukder protested the comment made by the CEC in response to what he had said earlier.
Talukder said, “I strongly protest the comment by the CEC that I had lied; he has struck at the heart of the EC’s spirit and values.”
Commenting on the matter, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said, “The Election Commission is formed of five persons, and if three or four persons are united on one issue then that is the final decision.”
Relevant to note, commissioner Talukder opposed campaigning of MPs during city corporation election, the introduction of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) and the amendment to the Representation of the People’s Order (RPO).