City Corporation Election on Party Lines in Bangladesh: A Review of Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC) Election 2016

Election is prerequisite for the democratic form of government. Free, fair, credible and timely election is also very essential for the smooth running of democracy. Narayanganj City Corporation Election, 2016 is the second and timely election after its establishment. But for the first time in 2016, it was held on party lines. Concerns were high over the election to Narayanganj City, and two-thirds of the polling stations were found to be vulnerable. The election was held on 22 December 2016 and not a single of the 174 polling stations saw chaos or violence. Dr. Selina Hayat Ivy has won the electoral race for the second straight term. Election observers have termed this election ‘credible and peaceful’. This study explores that if Election Commission (EC) can work freely it can hold free, fair and credible election. This election shows that so. But the history of Bangladesh shows that there are invisible bindings that deter EC from holding free, fair and credible election.