Independence of Bangladesh Election Commission: A critical analysis

Abstract

Election is called the basic pillar of democracy. It is a very important and only method in a democracy to established democratic government or a other democratic institution in a democratic country. Election is the foundation or bedrock on which democracy stands. The word “Election” implies those who are to elect, called the “electors”, the office to which election is to be made, the person is to be elected called the candidate. Democracy is a concept derived from political philosophy which main requirement is the process of election. Election commission or election laws lay down on the manner in which the electoral right is to be exercised. In our constitution under the chapter of fundamental principles of state policy it has been declared in article 11 that “The republic shall be a democracy in which fundamental human right, freedom and respect for dignity and worth of the human person shall be guaranteed, and which the effective participation by the people through their elected representatives in administration at all level, shall be ensured.” On the strength of these fundamental principal of the state policy election is being held in the country by the election commission. If I carefully go through and study the Articles 118 to 126 of the constitution about the election commission it will be seen that to ensure free, fair, neutral election, the election commission shall be independent in the exercise of its function and all of the executives authorities are under obligation to assist the Election Commission in the discharge of it’s function. The parliamentary election are held under the representation of the people order 1972 and the rules made thereunder.