Release of a party leader
Wednesday, 20 August 2008
It now appears one Advisor is working hard finding ways and means to release a party leader, as if the country's existence depends upon her release, ignoring the sentiments of the vast silent majority of the country. If that is the case, why in the first place there was any need for the 'one eleven' episode. The intransigence of this person and her party led to the turmoil in the country at that time and still they are trying to create so many impediments to holding the next general election in December. Most surprisingly she is now dictating terms to the government for her release. Her secretary general issued seventy two hours ultimatum to release her (already expired!). She refused to be a voter if not released unconditionally and wants her sons to be sent abroad for "treatment"; she even wants the government to recast the EC according to her wish. All those indicate the government is now grabbing her feet to make her agree to get released! Why the government thinks without her and her party, there cannot be an acceptable election, no one understands.
What is important, is the holding of an acceptable free and fair election. If some party deliberately stays away from contesting election with ulterior motive, it is their independent choice and that does not change the authenticity of the election at all. It is open to each and every citizen of the country to participate in the election subject to fulfilment of certain obligation. What we have seen in the recent municipal and city corporation elections, the "leaders" of the two major political parties sitting in Dhaka called their party men to boycott the election; whereas the general people and even their party men ignored their call and overwhelmingly and spontaneously participated in the election which received national and international acclamation as being free and fair.
The same thing will happen in case of upazilla and the national election, whether any leader or her party participates or not. So, why worry? By refusing to enroll herself as a voter voluntarily, the said leader of the particular party is now disqualified either to vote or to contest in the election which is a blessing in disguise for the nation. Let us not waste our time and energy in sending that 'party leader' and her sons abroad for "treatment". Let us not return to the family dynasty earlier established by them. They must face the charges against them in the court and let the law take its own course.
Mohammad Ataul Hoque
Dhaka
What is important, is the holding of an acceptable free and fair election. If some party deliberately stays away from contesting election with ulterior motive, it is their independent choice and that does not change the authenticity of the election at all. It is open to each and every citizen of the country to participate in the election subject to fulfilment of certain obligation. What we have seen in the recent municipal and city corporation elections, the "leaders" of the two major political parties sitting in Dhaka called their party men to boycott the election; whereas the general people and even their party men ignored their call and overwhelmingly and spontaneously participated in the election which received national and international acclamation as being free and fair.
The same thing will happen in case of upazilla and the national election, whether any leader or her party participates or not. So, why worry? By refusing to enroll herself as a voter voluntarily, the said leader of the particular party is now disqualified either to vote or to contest in the election which is a blessing in disguise for the nation. Let us not waste our time and energy in sending that 'party leader' and her sons abroad for "treatment". Let us not return to the family dynasty earlier established by them. They must face the charges against them in the court and let the law take its own course.
Mohammad Ataul Hoque
Dhaka