2008 : The year of actions and elections
Wednesday, 12 March 2008
Air Commodore Muhammad Zakiul Islam, Ndu, Acsc (Retd)
THE year 2008 is the year of elections. And let us add that it is also the year of many actions. Just look, how many election events have been, or are, lined up this year: Pakistan, Russia, Zimbabwe, Malaysia, Spain, The United States, Bangladesh and many more countries. Timing and results of some are already known, some yet not.
Talking of action, The Games of the XXIX Olympiad will be held in Beijing, the capital city of our close friend and neighbour China, from the 8th to 24th August. Determined to put up a spectacular show, the Chinese had been bracing themselves for this gala occasion for the past several years, and are now working overtime to present a perfect display through showcasing their high calibre organising and managerial skill for hosting such a world event. The Games will be inaugurated precisely at 08:08:08 pm CST (12:08:08 pm UTC) on 08-08-2008 at the 'Bird Nest' Stadium (Beijing National Stadium).
Pakistan had its election for the National Assembly and the four provincial Assemblies on the 18th of February, which was postponed from the original schedule due to the sad demise of Ms Benazir Bhutto at the hands of the terrorist. Now that the elections are over, events in the next few weeks would decide which way the political environment and democratic process of that country is heading, after so much of blood-shed and tragedies.
In Russia, Mr Dmitry Medvedev has been elected as the President of the Russian Federation in the election held on the 2nd March. Enjoying the support from the outgoing President Mr. Vladimir Putin, Mr. Medvedev has won 70% votes against his nearest rival Mr. Gennady Zyuganov of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation who polled about 17% of the vote caste.
In the face of worsening ethnic tension, mounting concerns over corruption, and rising food prices, the Malaysian Prime Minister Mr. Abdullah Ahmad Badawi dissolved the Parliament on 13th February and called for early election which had to be held within 60 days as per the regulations. Parliamentary elections were held there on, the 8th of March. The United Malaysian National Organisation (UNMO), a coalition of 12 parties, which had been ruling the country for the last half century since its independence from Britain in 1957 has been returned, but rendered marginalised, much less powerful and weaker. No wonder, his predecessor Dr. Mahathir Mohammed has already asked for a change of leadership, while the leader of the main Opposition Dr Anwar Ibrahim, is already calling for even bigger 'change'.
In Spain, a national election for electing Deputies in the Congress and Members of the Senate was held last Sunday, the 9th of March. The incumbent Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapataro and his Socialist Workers Party are likely to get the mandate for the second term.
And in the African Continent, President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe is seeking his fifth term in office in the elections scheduled for the 29th March when the Presidential Elections and the Parliamentary Elections will be held simultaneously. Mr. Mugabe was first chosen as the President in 1987. Thereafter, he has contested in all the Presidential elections and was returned to the office.
Well, the biggest one will be held on the 'Election Day' 2008, the day which was decided and settled more than some two centuries ago. "It is the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, once every four years (years divisible by four or the leap year)". Thus the US Presidential election 2008 is scheduled for the 4th of November. But this is a misnomer. On the 'Election Day', the President and the Vice President are not elected directly. On this day, all 50 States and the District of Columbia will hold elections to select members of the Electoral College.
"And the electors of President and Vice President of each State shall meet and give votes on the first Monday after Second Wednesday in December next following their appointment at such place in each State as the legislature of such States direct." This happens to be 15th December,2008. The actual Presidential Election will be held on this day, although the outcome will be decided on the 4th of November, unless objections are raised on the 6th of January 2009 when the results will be finally tallied before the both House of Congress. The winners will be inaugurated in office in the afternoon on 20th January 2009. This system of choosing 'the most powerful person on earth' of the modern world is going on with such mathematical precision for more than two hundred years. Notably and not surprisingly, such mathematical precisions are also equally and quintessentially critical for putting a man on the moon!
Also precise and predictable was the fact that the person had always been a male and of white origin. But all that might change in the year 2008 if the Democratic Party wins the Election. For the first time in the history of the United States, that most powerful person could be either a female or a male African American (Hyphen rendered superfluous at the behest of President Theodore Roosevelt).
This election is also different since 1928. This is the first election in the last 80 years when neither an incumbent President nor a Vice President is in the race. Thanks to the two term Vice President Dick Cheney who has categorically announced that "If nominated, I will not run; if elected. I will not serve". Being in the team of George Bush, both Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld have proved to be "man of words." Mr. Dick Cheney is also known to be a man of a strong heart and even a stronger will. And thanks on a galore to the 22nd Amendment of the Constitution adopted in 1951 that debars the incumbent President from seeking a third term!
So the election dates of America are preordained by the US Code. That being that, the next natural question is, when is ours? According to the roadmap, it has to be held by mid-night 31st December 2008 which happens to be a Wednesday. The American forefathers had chosen the dates with two main considerations - end of the harvesting season in rural, agrarian America and suitable weather when winter storms were yet to set in. Sounds logical and familiar. Now, all that the Election Commission needs to do is to consult the 'Panjika' and come up with a propitious date. This may not necessarily be as precise as the opening of the Beijing Olympics or the American Election.
But it is easier said than done. All of us want a strong and effective local government in our rural Bangladesh. Should the elections of the local bodies be held before the national elections? What will be the most suitable time frame for the local government elections to present us with a viable, self-reliant and effective system now or under a political government? A lively debate has already ensued and a lot of the air time and talk time is being consumed in the debate. While all the arguments seem to be valid, some are obviously more valid than the others.
Unless specifically barred by the law or the constitution, I personally feel that if the Election Commission wants to have a warm-up match to test its system, there is nothing wrong. Rather, it would help break the tension and tedium of the present national mood and prepare us for the big finale. But any attempt, however noble, which is likely to distract or 'derail' us from the ultimate goal of holding a timely national election, must be avoided forthwith. And all these vital issues of national importance ought to be resolved through dialogue, and by talking not to the press or into the Camera, but talking eyeball - to - eyeball between the Election Commission and its 'clients'.
What is of essence here is time which is always flying. The half-way journey of preparation of the voter list was marked and observed through celebrations, and the second half may not take as long since necessary expertise and experience have already been gained and the infrastructures are in order. Apart from the voter list, there are many more things that need to be done before the polls. Let me cite a practical scenario from life. For a pilot who wants to make a successful landing, the length of the runway remaining ahead is more critical; the distance left behind is useless and is of no consequence!
THE year 2008 is the year of elections. And let us add that it is also the year of many actions. Just look, how many election events have been, or are, lined up this year: Pakistan, Russia, Zimbabwe, Malaysia, Spain, The United States, Bangladesh and many more countries. Timing and results of some are already known, some yet not.
Talking of action, The Games of the XXIX Olympiad will be held in Beijing, the capital city of our close friend and neighbour China, from the 8th to 24th August. Determined to put up a spectacular show, the Chinese had been bracing themselves for this gala occasion for the past several years, and are now working overtime to present a perfect display through showcasing their high calibre organising and managerial skill for hosting such a world event. The Games will be inaugurated precisely at 08:08:08 pm CST (12:08:08 pm UTC) on 08-08-2008 at the 'Bird Nest' Stadium (Beijing National Stadium).
Pakistan had its election for the National Assembly and the four provincial Assemblies on the 18th of February, which was postponed from the original schedule due to the sad demise of Ms Benazir Bhutto at the hands of the terrorist. Now that the elections are over, events in the next few weeks would decide which way the political environment and democratic process of that country is heading, after so much of blood-shed and tragedies.
In Russia, Mr Dmitry Medvedev has been elected as the President of the Russian Federation in the election held on the 2nd March. Enjoying the support from the outgoing President Mr. Vladimir Putin, Mr. Medvedev has won 70% votes against his nearest rival Mr. Gennady Zyuganov of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation who polled about 17% of the vote caste.
In the face of worsening ethnic tension, mounting concerns over corruption, and rising food prices, the Malaysian Prime Minister Mr. Abdullah Ahmad Badawi dissolved the Parliament on 13th February and called for early election which had to be held within 60 days as per the regulations. Parliamentary elections were held there on, the 8th of March. The United Malaysian National Organisation (UNMO), a coalition of 12 parties, which had been ruling the country for the last half century since its independence from Britain in 1957 has been returned, but rendered marginalised, much less powerful and weaker. No wonder, his predecessor Dr. Mahathir Mohammed has already asked for a change of leadership, while the leader of the main Opposition Dr Anwar Ibrahim, is already calling for even bigger 'change'.
In Spain, a national election for electing Deputies in the Congress and Members of the Senate was held last Sunday, the 9th of March. The incumbent Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapataro and his Socialist Workers Party are likely to get the mandate for the second term.
And in the African Continent, President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe is seeking his fifth term in office in the elections scheduled for the 29th March when the Presidential Elections and the Parliamentary Elections will be held simultaneously. Mr. Mugabe was first chosen as the President in 1987. Thereafter, he has contested in all the Presidential elections and was returned to the office.
Well, the biggest one will be held on the 'Election Day' 2008, the day which was decided and settled more than some two centuries ago. "It is the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, once every four years (years divisible by four or the leap year)". Thus the US Presidential election 2008 is scheduled for the 4th of November. But this is a misnomer. On the 'Election Day', the President and the Vice President are not elected directly. On this day, all 50 States and the District of Columbia will hold elections to select members of the Electoral College.
"And the electors of President and Vice President of each State shall meet and give votes on the first Monday after Second Wednesday in December next following their appointment at such place in each State as the legislature of such States direct." This happens to be 15th December,2008. The actual Presidential Election will be held on this day, although the outcome will be decided on the 4th of November, unless objections are raised on the 6th of January 2009 when the results will be finally tallied before the both House of Congress. The winners will be inaugurated in office in the afternoon on 20th January 2009. This system of choosing 'the most powerful person on earth' of the modern world is going on with such mathematical precision for more than two hundred years. Notably and not surprisingly, such mathematical precisions are also equally and quintessentially critical for putting a man on the moon!
Also precise and predictable was the fact that the person had always been a male and of white origin. But all that might change in the year 2008 if the Democratic Party wins the Election. For the first time in the history of the United States, that most powerful person could be either a female or a male African American (Hyphen rendered superfluous at the behest of President Theodore Roosevelt).
This election is also different since 1928. This is the first election in the last 80 years when neither an incumbent President nor a Vice President is in the race. Thanks to the two term Vice President Dick Cheney who has categorically announced that "If nominated, I will not run; if elected. I will not serve". Being in the team of George Bush, both Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld have proved to be "man of words." Mr. Dick Cheney is also known to be a man of a strong heart and even a stronger will. And thanks on a galore to the 22nd Amendment of the Constitution adopted in 1951 that debars the incumbent President from seeking a third term!
So the election dates of America are preordained by the US Code. That being that, the next natural question is, when is ours? According to the roadmap, it has to be held by mid-night 31st December 2008 which happens to be a Wednesday. The American forefathers had chosen the dates with two main considerations - end of the harvesting season in rural, agrarian America and suitable weather when winter storms were yet to set in. Sounds logical and familiar. Now, all that the Election Commission needs to do is to consult the 'Panjika' and come up with a propitious date. This may not necessarily be as precise as the opening of the Beijing Olympics or the American Election.
But it is easier said than done. All of us want a strong and effective local government in our rural Bangladesh. Should the elections of the local bodies be held before the national elections? What will be the most suitable time frame for the local government elections to present us with a viable, self-reliant and effective system now or under a political government? A lively debate has already ensued and a lot of the air time and talk time is being consumed in the debate. While all the arguments seem to be valid, some are obviously more valid than the others.
Unless specifically barred by the law or the constitution, I personally feel that if the Election Commission wants to have a warm-up match to test its system, there is nothing wrong. Rather, it would help break the tension and tedium of the present national mood and prepare us for the big finale. But any attempt, however noble, which is likely to distract or 'derail' us from the ultimate goal of holding a timely national election, must be avoided forthwith. And all these vital issues of national importance ought to be resolved through dialogue, and by talking not to the press or into the Camera, but talking eyeball - to - eyeball between the Election Commission and its 'clients'.
What is of essence here is time which is always flying. The half-way journey of preparation of the voter list was marked and observed through celebrations, and the second half may not take as long since necessary expertise and experience have already been gained and the infrastructures are in order. Apart from the voter list, there are many more things that need to be done before the polls. Let me cite a practical scenario from life. For a pilot who wants to make a successful landing, the length of the runway remaining ahead is more critical; the distance left behind is useless and is of no consequence!