Election and democracy are mainly political issues. In Bangladesh those, however, often become relevant to socio-economic development, particularly when they accelerate or hinder economic growth process. The prospect of peace, stability and economic growth in the context of the upcoming elections needs to be viewed from this perspective.
So far as the holding of a free and fair election is concerned, there is an unprecedented unanimity among the stakeholders other than the Awami League and its accomplices. The interim government, political forces, civil society and activists of the anti-discriminatory movement as well as the common people are strongly united on this question. Although a difference of opinions on the systemic reforms is fast emerging. Actually the urge for political reforms, restoration of democracy and election had emerged as a unifying force that, along with other factors, led to the overthrow of the autocratic regime of Sheikh Hasina.
The dictatorial regime led by Awami League ruthlessly ruled the country over more than one and a half decades and brutally suppressed the opposition forces. With the evil design of perpetuating its fascist rule, the AL ruined one state institute after another. It turned the electoral process into a farce where people were not allowed to cast their votes.
Political reforms, fair elections based on adult franchise and handover power to an elected government can remove the remnants of the tyrannical rule and clear the way for the revival of the institutions. As has already been mentioned, all anti-autocratic forces are completely in agreement on this question. Given the unity, the difference on exactly when the election can be held is unlikely to stand in the way to that goal.
However, holding fair elections is not an issue of just a few constitutional and legal provisions; it is a question of institutionalisation of democracy through nurturing it as an ideology, a culture and a habit. Without a truly democratic mindset of all concerned, particularly of the political forces, legal provisions cannot prevent the rise of autocracy. The loopholes in the legal system through which autocracy can raise its head should be plugged once and for all. What is even more important is that truly democratic practices right within the political forces can ensure a triumphant march for democracy in all spheres of life and society.
Why are a truly democratic environment, free and fair elections and peaceful transfer of power so important at this critical juncture when revival and strengthening of the state institutions are yet a challenging task? It is because that those will lead to political stability and create a conducive atmosphere desperately needed for the unhindered economic development of the country. It is because of tyrannical rule and lack of socio-political stability that potential foreign investors hesitated and ultimately refrained from investing in Bangladesh. Personal interests of the powerful quarters also discouraged foreign direct investment as Saudi Ambassador to Dhaka Essa Youssef Essa Al Duhailan alleged on Sunday. Saudi Arabia's state-owned oil giant Aramco tried to invest a huge amount of money in Bangladesh but it was discouraged by the Hasina government.
Needless to say, a fair national election only once and peaceful handover of power are far from enough to regain foreign investors' confidence. Uninterrupted democratic practices in all spheres of life over a fairly long period of time can stimulate local investment and attract FDI in larger volumes. It is therefore the combined obligation of all concerned to create and strengthen a truly democratic environment and thus establish peace and stability in society.
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