Election manifestos of political parties are published as 'formalities' in many cases as most of their important pledges remain unimplemented, the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has said.
According to it, specific planning for implementing the commitments made by the political parties in their election manifestos remains absent in most of the cases.
The Dhaka chapter of Berlin-based transparency watchdog made the observations at a press conference unveiling a working paper on 'Governance and integrity in election manifestos of political parties in Bangladesh'
The TIB Executive Director (ED) Md Iftekharuzzaman, and adviser to its Executive Management Professor Dr. Sumaiya Khair attended the conference, among others.
Giving an overview of the manifestos in the last several parliamentary elections, the TIB working paper presented a set of recommendations to include in the political parties' pledges made ahead of elections.
According to the paper, the immediate outgoing ruling party must prepare a report on to what extent it has fulfilled its electoral commitments made in the previous election and make the report public.
"Every political party, participating in the parliamentary election, must make it clear in the manifesto, what role it will play to establish democracy and good governance even if it does not form government through winning the election," the paper said.
It also suggested that all the political parties must develop their respective work plans for the implementation of recommendations as laid in the National Integrity Strategy.
The paper added that the political parties must provide in their election manifestos detailed and specific outline for establishing good governance and democracy.
It said the political parties should include various issues in their manifestos with regard to establishing good governance and democracy.
TIB also urged the political parties to clear their position in the manifestos against legalising black money in the national budget and commitment to bringing back all laundered money.
Addressing the conference, Md Iftekharuzzaman said a free and fair national election is possible under a partisan government, if all stakeholders perform their due responsibilities.
However, he also said political parties and other stakeholders are doubtful about a transparent election under such government considering the outcomes of several elections in recent months.
TIB ED said Election Commission (EC) doesn't conduct the polls solely by itself.
"Political parties play a crucial role in the election, their goodwill is also essential for conducting an acceptable poll," he said.
About the political parties' election manifestos, the TIB ED said there is a big gap between the commitments made by a party before election and their implementation after it forms the government.
However, there are some positive aspects of the election manifestos prepared by the political parties, he said, referring to the working paper.
"Political parties stated their position related to good governance and integrity in manifesto during the last several parliamentary elections," he said, adding that though their implementation was much lower comparing to the commitment.
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