People in different social medias expressed their discontent with the Election Commission’s campaign to urge the voters for casting their votes in the 10th parliamentary elections.
Before every polls, the EC starts campaigning for a free and fair election through television advertisements after the declaration of election schedule. However, such type of campaigning to raise awareness among the people was almost absent this year.
This time, a text message was sent by Govt Info that says: “Selling votes is equivalent to selling conscience. Do not sell your vote. All security measures have been taken. Cast your votes fearlessly.” [Vote Bikri to Bibek Bikri, Bhote Bikri Korben Na. Nirbachone Sarbik Nirapotta Nischit Kora Hosse. Nirvoye, Nirbighne Vote Dite Kendre Jaben.]
On condition of anonymity, a senior official of the EC said the text message has been sent to everybody, regardless of whether they would vote or not.
When asked why the campaigning was being carried out at the eleventh hour, he said it had been done in right time.
On the other hand, many people viewed that such text messages were meaningless to almost half of the total voters as they would not cast their votes. A total of 153 constituencies will not see any election this year, as lone candidates of those seats had been elected uncontested.
One Saif Uddin updated his Facebook status that says: “I have no right to cast my vote. In this situation the message from EC is a farce to me.”
Another Facebook status update by Mouli Parvin, who became voter for the first time, says: “I want to choose my candidate. But I have to accept the candidate who was selected by AL. EC can be more sensitive to send this type of text. What will I do with this message?”
