The tasks before the next government
Thursday, 18 December 2008
Md. Masum Billah
ELECTION, a means to achieve democracy, is not an end in itself. Bangladesh's nascent democracy suffered a lot in the hands of the politicians. After a lapse of two years Bangladesh is going to have its ninth parliamentary elections to be held on December 29, 2008. Though delayed, the election has generated momentum throughout the country after the lifting of the emergency. The election has generated enthusiasm among the people. At the same time, they are apprehensive of what sort of government they are going elect. Is the country going to see the same game?
The elected representatives used to be surrounded by local pseudo-leaders and mastans who try to control their areas. The voters and common people can hardly meet their elected representatives to get their problems solved. If they want something done, they must satisfy the psedu-leaders who always shield the elected representatives.
Because of these pseudo-mastans the common people and the supporters of other parties cannot open their mouth. How will the party in power solve it? On these local psedu-mastans, who are rewarded, depend much of the elections. This is the reality. Could the non-elected caretaker government (CTG) break this in two years?
"Foreigners might regard the concept of a caretaker government as an undemocratic and unusual practice as the advisors of the CTG are not appointed by or accountable to the people," commented Somsri Han Anuntasuk, Executive Director of Bangkok-based Asian Network for Free Election (ANFREL). ANFREL think that the people of Bangladesh supported CTG system as it helped ensure a safe environment and pledged a free and fair election. However, preliminary findings also indicate that the current CTG has been there for too long and should be replaced by a democratically elected government as soon as possible. This is because man always wants change.
Developing the power sector is the most onerous task for the next government. If government can increase supply of power, agriculture and industry will develop automatically. No oral promise, just professional and absolutely pragmatic steps must be taken to produce more electricity. More electricity alone can increase agricultural and industrial production. In this respect, what Dr. Muhammad Yunus said is relevant, "Government just needs to remove the barriers at every step. If these barriers can be removed, the country will automatically march forward."
The political parties need to understand that just being elected to go to power is not everything. They need to understand that they can serve the people even without going to power. The elected party or parties must ensure that the opposition party or parties can contribute to nation-building and policy-making. They must get their due share as they represent the majority. Given this environment, the opposition will need to cooperate with the government. They must not feel that they are neglected and are kept out of the policy-making process. But if the opposition is neglected, it will be out to oust the government at any cost. Bangladesh witnessed this for long. This situation leads the political parties to think that winning the election and going power is everything. This becomes the only objective of politics.
This rat race destroys inter party confidence. The next government must dispel this mindset of the politicians and the people. A reasonable distribution of state facilities between position and the opposition, would end the mad competition between the parties.
All the parties have announced their manifestos pledging a series of programmes to the nation, leaving no area/unattended if they are voted to power. They made the promises in response to the political crisis the country faces. But doubts hover whether they will be able to deliver what they promise. Suppose, all the parties promise to curb terrorism. But how? No common people would dare to commit terrorist acts. Those who indulge in violence belong to either the party in power or the opposition. When the activists of a party commit crimes, does it punish them. Rather they are rewarded. The existing laws and police are enough to curb common crimes. But the law enforcement agencies cannot control the powerful criminals. So, why are these promises? When the political parties would take honest decisions the country will see a clean environment. It is one of the most important tasks for the coming government.
MAS Molla, in an article "Four Plus one year tenure for better governance" published recently in a national daily, suggested the tenure of the government should be for four years. MAS Molla also suggested for the caretaker government a one-year term as it has to do a lot of work which cannot be done in three months.
The suggestions deserve consideration. The speaker should be a neutral person. A non-functioning speaker can cripple democracy. So, the speaker must not be from a party. A provision needs to be made so that without the Supreme Court decision, the speaker cannot be removed from his or her post. The next government should consider this point to strengthen democracy.
The writer is a senior manager: Brac Education Programme, PACE
ELECTION, a means to achieve democracy, is not an end in itself. Bangladesh's nascent democracy suffered a lot in the hands of the politicians. After a lapse of two years Bangladesh is going to have its ninth parliamentary elections to be held on December 29, 2008. Though delayed, the election has generated momentum throughout the country after the lifting of the emergency. The election has generated enthusiasm among the people. At the same time, they are apprehensive of what sort of government they are going elect. Is the country going to see the same game?
The elected representatives used to be surrounded by local pseudo-leaders and mastans who try to control their areas. The voters and common people can hardly meet their elected representatives to get their problems solved. If they want something done, they must satisfy the psedu-leaders who always shield the elected representatives.
Because of these pseudo-mastans the common people and the supporters of other parties cannot open their mouth. How will the party in power solve it? On these local psedu-mastans, who are rewarded, depend much of the elections. This is the reality. Could the non-elected caretaker government (CTG) break this in two years?
"Foreigners might regard the concept of a caretaker government as an undemocratic and unusual practice as the advisors of the CTG are not appointed by or accountable to the people," commented Somsri Han Anuntasuk, Executive Director of Bangkok-based Asian Network for Free Election (ANFREL). ANFREL think that the people of Bangladesh supported CTG system as it helped ensure a safe environment and pledged a free and fair election. However, preliminary findings also indicate that the current CTG has been there for too long and should be replaced by a democratically elected government as soon as possible. This is because man always wants change.
Developing the power sector is the most onerous task for the next government. If government can increase supply of power, agriculture and industry will develop automatically. No oral promise, just professional and absolutely pragmatic steps must be taken to produce more electricity. More electricity alone can increase agricultural and industrial production. In this respect, what Dr. Muhammad Yunus said is relevant, "Government just needs to remove the barriers at every step. If these barriers can be removed, the country will automatically march forward."
The political parties need to understand that just being elected to go to power is not everything. They need to understand that they can serve the people even without going to power. The elected party or parties must ensure that the opposition party or parties can contribute to nation-building and policy-making. They must get their due share as they represent the majority. Given this environment, the opposition will need to cooperate with the government. They must not feel that they are neglected and are kept out of the policy-making process. But if the opposition is neglected, it will be out to oust the government at any cost. Bangladesh witnessed this for long. This situation leads the political parties to think that winning the election and going power is everything. This becomes the only objective of politics.
This rat race destroys inter party confidence. The next government must dispel this mindset of the politicians and the people. A reasonable distribution of state facilities between position and the opposition, would end the mad competition between the parties.
All the parties have announced their manifestos pledging a series of programmes to the nation, leaving no area/unattended if they are voted to power. They made the promises in response to the political crisis the country faces. But doubts hover whether they will be able to deliver what they promise. Suppose, all the parties promise to curb terrorism. But how? No common people would dare to commit terrorist acts. Those who indulge in violence belong to either the party in power or the opposition. When the activists of a party commit crimes, does it punish them. Rather they are rewarded. The existing laws and police are enough to curb common crimes. But the law enforcement agencies cannot control the powerful criminals. So, why are these promises? When the political parties would take honest decisions the country will see a clean environment. It is one of the most important tasks for the coming government.
MAS Molla, in an article "Four Plus one year tenure for better governance" published recently in a national daily, suggested the tenure of the government should be for four years. MAS Molla also suggested for the caretaker government a one-year term as it has to do a lot of work which cannot be done in three months.
The suggestions deserve consideration. The speaker should be a neutral person. A non-functioning speaker can cripple democracy. So, the speaker must not be from a party. A provision needs to be made so that without the Supreme Court decision, the speaker cannot be removed from his or her post. The next government should consider this point to strengthen democracy.
The writer is a senior manager: Brac Education Programme, PACE