Amendment of caretaker government system

It has become absolutely necessary to amend the Caretaker Government provision in the light of past two decades' experience. The main opposition BNP said recently that they will not support the cancellation of the caretaker government system. It is now, however, clear that the government has no intention to cancel the caretaker government (CG) system and they are thinking of amending some aspects of this provision. The BNP has also acknowledged this necessity. The special parliamentary committee on constitutional amendments has recommended curtailing the authority of the president during the caretaker government period. Besides, the committee has also reached a consensus that the tenure of a CG should be restricted to 90 days. Because the last caretaker government headed by Dr. Fakruddin Ahmed, took office on 11 January, 2007 and remained in power for about two years as there was no mention of a specific timeframe for the interim administration. The parliamentary body also agreed for a commendable step that the constitutional provision for allowing MPs to remain absent for 90 consecutive parliamentary days will be changed to 90 calender days. On the other hand, during the tenure of the CG, some executive power that remains at the hand of the president in general is conflicting with the existing parliamentary democratic system. Above all, it is needed to keep this CG system in our country. It has become possible to hold credible and acceptable national elections under the caretaker government during the last four CG's term. The Election Commission, in the meantime, has started to work independently as the Commission has done a splendid job through preparing a believable and acceptable voter list, voter ID card and above all peacefully holding the municipal and UP elections. We hope that the government will take necessary steps and identify the weak aspects in the relevant laws to make the CG system time-befitting. It will be good for the country, if the government amends the existing caretaker government system by taking consent and opinion from all sections of people. Lutfor Rahman Ghoraghat, Dinajpur E-mail : mlutforr@ovi.com