Dhaka, Dec. 15 -- The Election Commission (EC) has long said it wants the election climate to remain "tolerable" and under control. After the schedule was announced, the question now is whether that hope can survive contact with events on the ground.

On Sunday, the first working day after the polls timetable was declared, the commission sat down with law-enforcing agencies to try to draw up a blueprint for a peaceful vote.

Against the backdrop of an assassination attempt of a prospective candidate that has jolted national politics, the EC also warned parties and candidates to be wary of "saboteurs and infiltrators" posing as allies.

Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah raised the issue directly in the meeting.

"One thing must...