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The lawlessness prevailing all over the country and the helplessness of the government to control the situation has turned the announcement of the date for the polls to the consembly, by the Prime Minister, into a farce. In a situation when the overwhelming illiterate mass does not know what is a Constituent Assembly or what is proportional representation, knowledgeable people too are in a fix how to take the announcement. The undemocratic behavior of the eight party government to prevent all opposition parties from contesting the polls by framing various kinds of unconstitutional rules and regulations that forbid political parties not represented in the parliament even to register with the Election Commission is a clear manifestation of their evil intentions of rigging the elections. The Election Commission is an august, autonomous and independent organization and must be manned by people of irreproachable integrity who can withstand and all parochial and unjust policies and directives of the government that could harm the interests of all those parties who are not in the government. By putting severe restrictions on all opposition, the government has not only tried to bar them from participating in the polls but also curbed their fundamental rights which no body calling himself democratic can even imagine. How the democratic world - representatives of the democratic countries and even the United Nations, could keep mum on such issue is, indeed, revolting to a real democratic person. Besides, the tacit approval shown by the Election Commission by enforcing the undemocratic and draconian regulations has made it amply clear that they are working hand in glove with the government. Had they tried to preserve the image of the august body they are manning by refusing to carry out such prejudicial regulations, not only they would have upheld the honor of the institution they are working for but their stature even in the international arena would have gone enormously high. Unfortunately, that was not to be. Under these circumstances, there is no other alternative for all those who have no links with the eight parties in the government but to sink all their personal and partisan interests and join hands to oppose such authoritarian and prejudicial rules and regulations. If necessary, they should not hesitate to raise their voices in the street. As the uncertain situation deteriorates, it might not be necessary since the chances of the elections being held on the stipulated date are going on receding. As a matter of fact, one influential section in the ruling coalition confided to this scribe on condition of anonymity that none of the eight parties are too keen on the elections as it might end their sunshine days for ever. On the other hand, they also think that this government can in no way stop this lawlessness and killings and murders and instill a sense of security amongst the voters. One very senior leader went to the extent even to confess that the government did not posses the authority to implement the decision. Whether the elections do take place at all or whether they would be free and fair are meaningless for those who are fortunate to make hay and to handle the billions of rupees apportioned for the elections as long they would not be deprived of their big share of the windfall.
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