Clean candidates are needs of the time
Friday, 18 July 2008
ALL concerned do appreciate the need for nominating honest and capable candidates for elections at different levels. Otherwise, it would be business as usual. In that event, good governance and the well-being of the people would remain elusive with the corrupt ruling the roost to put on the hold the nation's progress.
Bangladeshis love democracy. They made a lot of sacrifice for it. They are doing it again, as in past glorious moments of their national history. But the quest for democracy must not end with only creating the conditions for free and fair holding of the election or with a feeling that the institution, which would conduct elections have been deep cleansed for the purpose. The triumph of the people will take place when they not only get back their right to choose their representatives in free and fair polls but also cast their votes to elect reasonably clean and capable persons. Free and fair elections cannot be an end in itself. It must lead to election of men and women of high integrity and the ability to work for public good.
The people are anxious to know why some individuals with records of criminal cases and other charges of immorality against them are being allowed to contest the upcoming municipal elections. If these people are allowed to context and get elected, the actions taken by the interim government and the people's expectations would be meaningless.
Sohail Samad
Magbazar, Dhaka
Bangladeshis love democracy. They made a lot of sacrifice for it. They are doing it again, as in past glorious moments of their national history. But the quest for democracy must not end with only creating the conditions for free and fair holding of the election or with a feeling that the institution, which would conduct elections have been deep cleansed for the purpose. The triumph of the people will take place when they not only get back their right to choose their representatives in free and fair polls but also cast their votes to elect reasonably clean and capable persons. Free and fair elections cannot be an end in itself. It must lead to election of men and women of high integrity and the ability to work for public good.
The people are anxious to know why some individuals with records of criminal cases and other charges of immorality against them are being allowed to contest the upcoming municipal elections. If these people are allowed to context and get elected, the actions taken by the interim government and the people's expectations would be meaningless.
Sohail Samad
Magbazar, Dhaka