Relaxation of restrictions on indoor politics
Tuesday, 11 September 2007
THE chief adviser of the caretaker government Sunday evening while addressing the nation over the state-owned electronic media announced the withdrawal of ban imposed on indoor politics on March 08 last. The withdrawal of the ban thus removes the obstacles to holding of discussions between the political parties and the Election Commission on the proposed reforms of electoral laws and rules that are considered very important for taking the nation into a new era of healthy politics and free and fair national elections. The Election Commission has been eagerly waiting for holding discussions with the political parties on electoral laws and rules, the drafts of which have already been prepared by it. Except for a few so-called 'reformist' politicians, leaders of major political parties had expressed their unwillingness to participate in any discussion with the Election Commission on electoral reforms keeping the ban on indoor politics in place. The chief election commissioner who has time and again expressed his desire to open dialogue with the political parties on reforms must now be a happy man.
Political leaders including those of major parties and others have welcomed the withdrawal of the ban on indoor politics saying that it would help start of the process for restoration of democracy within the shortest possible time. The chief adviser, too, in his address to the nation expressed similar desire while promising to hold election soon after the preparation of the voters' roll. However, the political parties have so far expressed their guarded reaction to the conditional withdrawal of the ban on indoor politics. The gazette notification issued by the home ministry Sunday night stipulated that the ban on indoor politics remained effective throughout the country except for the capital Dhaka and the subject matters of discussion at the indoor meetings would remain confined only to organisational and electoral reforms. Besides, the political parties would have to take permission from the home ministry if the number of attendees at the indoor meetings exceeded 50 or they wanted to hold council sessions to discuss internal reforms.
The withdrawal of the ban on indoor politics has again the set the ball of democratic politics rolling. One cannot deny the fact that the people of this country, despite all its shortcomings, are true lovers of democracy. No doubt, they have been cheated repeatedly in the name of democracy by the incompetent and dishonest political leaders but that could not deter them from lending their unalloyed support to democracy. Democratic dispensation also provided impetus to economic activities. A review of the economic growth pattern of the country over the last 36 years would give credence to such observation. However, the country could have done much better had its political leadership been sincere in their efforts and true to their promises that they made to the people in their election manifestos. When the incumbent interim administration took over power in the backdrop of heightened political confrontation on the streets, the people had pinned much hope on its ability to cleanse the politics of corrupt and dishonest elements. The major political parties are now going through a kind of unstable process marked by internal fissures with two leading ladies passing their days in sub-jails. Whether or not the ongoing developments in the two main political contenders for power would bring about a qualitative change in country's future politics is difficult to predict right at this moment.
Political leaders including those of major parties and others have welcomed the withdrawal of the ban on indoor politics saying that it would help start of the process for restoration of democracy within the shortest possible time. The chief adviser, too, in his address to the nation expressed similar desire while promising to hold election soon after the preparation of the voters' roll. However, the political parties have so far expressed their guarded reaction to the conditional withdrawal of the ban on indoor politics. The gazette notification issued by the home ministry Sunday night stipulated that the ban on indoor politics remained effective throughout the country except for the capital Dhaka and the subject matters of discussion at the indoor meetings would remain confined only to organisational and electoral reforms. Besides, the political parties would have to take permission from the home ministry if the number of attendees at the indoor meetings exceeded 50 or they wanted to hold council sessions to discuss internal reforms.
The withdrawal of the ban on indoor politics has again the set the ball of democratic politics rolling. One cannot deny the fact that the people of this country, despite all its shortcomings, are true lovers of democracy. No doubt, they have been cheated repeatedly in the name of democracy by the incompetent and dishonest political leaders but that could not deter them from lending their unalloyed support to democracy. Democratic dispensation also provided impetus to economic activities. A review of the economic growth pattern of the country over the last 36 years would give credence to such observation. However, the country could have done much better had its political leadership been sincere in their efforts and true to their promises that they made to the people in their election manifestos. When the incumbent interim administration took over power in the backdrop of heightened political confrontation on the streets, the people had pinned much hope on its ability to cleanse the politics of corrupt and dishonest elements. The major political parties are now going through a kind of unstable process marked by internal fissures with two leading ladies passing their days in sub-jails. Whether or not the ongoing developments in the two main political contenders for power would bring about a qualitative change in country's future politics is difficult to predict right at this moment.