Dr Kamal clobbers CG, EC bargaining with parties on polls

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Dr Kamal Hossain, a staunch advocate for the post-1/11 reforms, clobbered the Caretaker Government (CG) and Election Commission (EC) for softening their position on fair polls and bargaining with some political parties for bending the newly framed electoral rules, reports UNB.
"How can one go for bargain holding a constitutional post? Is there any room for bargaining in the application of laws?" The Gono Forum president posed the questions during an interview with UNB at his Bailey Road residence, in the wake of continuing dilemmas over the belated general election, now set for December 18.
Dr Kamal, a leading jurist and framer of the country's constitution, vented both disappointments and annoyance mainly over what he said wholesale bail of those arrested on corruption charges, relaxation of election rules and regulations and party-registration provisions, and non-application of laws in a proper manner.
"The caretaker government and the election commission must not be defeated, they must succeed," the veteran jurist-politician said, yet on a note of optimism about a promised restart in national politics with a clean sheet following the painstaking purge in the interim period.
He noted that the interim regime has got support for last 20 months, "but now they seem desperate to give up. It looks like a stage-managed performance in the name of election, which would not be acceptable."
Dr Kamal said they have always welcomed the EC for its reorganisation, separating its secretariat from the PM's office, removing partisan election officials and preparation of the new digitized voters' list.
"Now, in the face of pressure and threat, the EC is softening its stance on party registration and other matters saying that they are compromising in the interest of the elections. This is not expected," he said.
One must join the race by accepting the laws and regulations, he emphatically said in support of the sweeping changes being carried out since the January 11, 2007 changeover following a political crisis over the issues of the election earlier scheduled for January 22 last year and eventually cancelled.
Dr Kamal, known for his hard stance on cleaning up politics from corruption, money and muscle power, questioned the mass granting of over 200 bails to accused in corruption cases at one go before the vacation of the High Court.
"I've never seen this in my 50 years of legal profession," he said, adding that the caretaker government and the judiciary have the responsibility to inquire into how it could happen.
Demanding a thorough inquiry into the matter of bail binge, the eminent jurist said the legal process of granting bail should not be abused. The Appellate Division could also look into it.
He was critical of projecting the corrupt persons as politicians and raising the demand for their release as 'political prisoners'. He demanded publication of inquiry reports, charge sheets, trial proceedings and court verdicts against those convicted in corruption cases so they cannot claim to be innocent.
Naming some BNP and Awami League leaders and former MPs already convicted of corruption, Dr Kamal questioned if they are political prisoners at all. "These people were telling lies, they were deceiving the nation; they should be given Oscar prize for lying," he said deploring the predicament of present-day politics and politicians.
Asked if the caretaker government has failed in its anti-corruption drive, he said the government achieved some success in its mission as some of the corrupt were already convicted while trial proceedings continued against others.
Criticising the two big parties for their frequent threat that they would not join the elections if their demands were not met, he cited rules of international games like Olympics and questioned whether a player taking steroid could be allowed to compete in the games if proved positive after dope test. He said game organisers rather seize medals from such players and disqualify even for life term from future competitions.