Why are the voters non-chalant in Bangladesh?
Saturday, 3 November 2007
Badrul Islam
THE caretaker government should facilitate reforms of political parties and transfer power to the elected government by holding polls. Turkey overcame, through recent elections, a political crisis that grew because the military and the opposition party had blocked then the nomination of Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul because his wife wears a headscarf. They felt that country's secularism was in danger. The ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party dispelled their fear it would endanger Turkey's secularism. and denied that it wants to turn Turkey into an Iranian style theocracy.
In the election campaign, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Eurodan, Turkey's most popular politician, urged voters to grant him a five-year mandate, so that the AK could keep up the record of strong economic growth, rising living standards and falling inflations. Erodan said, "God willing, Turkey is going to be brighter with AK party's "BULB" (the election symbol of AK). Results confirmed that the ruling AK party won by a large margin. Voters indicated that they voted for candidates who emphasised on improving the life of workers, civil servants and retirees; while other candidates pledged to advance education and health system and defend the ideas of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Republic. For countries facing political crisis, Turkish example provides important lessons to learn.
Politicians should learn that 'election' is the only means to overcome political crisis and that winning it depends on an "agenda" that raises the hopes of the citizens for an enriched and secured life.
Voters should learn that their votes should be cast in favour of the candidate who has the required experience to formulate policies that can improve their lives.
Now let's analyse the developments taking place in Bangladesh towards elections in 2008.
The Chief Adviser's efforts are widely appreciated both at home and abroad for restructuring the Election Commission (EC) and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for holding "free, fair and impartial" polls by December 2008.
Media reports state that 10 per cent work on making a fresh voter list with national photo identity (ID) cards has been completed and that the remaining 90 per cent will be completed in time. The caretaker government has also declared that the local government bodies' polls will be held before the national elections. These are positive signs and citizens expect that democracy will be restored.
Why are voters, then, feeling so non-chalant about the upcoming election? The voters don't feel that environment is yet conducive for the elections. They also feel that for holding the polls in the future, various factors should be resolved on a priority basis. Let's discuss those point by point: -
First, on the issue of voter registration, the people feel that the Election Commission (EC) needs to clarify: (A) as to whether they will publish the fully completed 'Voter List' for public scrutiny and how will an eligible voter, if left out, get registered and get his ID card; and (B) what the eligibility and registration process are for the non-resident Bangladeshis.
Secondly, on the issue of its dialogue with political parties, voters feel that EC needs to clarify what would be its course of action, if, (1) the dialogues with the politicians are not fruitful or are particularly fruitful or if (2) the two major parties insist that their party chiefs, not yet convicted, be released for a while and be allowed to join the discussion as they are unable to decide for themselves. Voters wonder if the EC members are prepared to overcome such hurdles?
Thirdly, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed cases against the leaders, the senior politicians, businessmen and bureaucrats affiliated with politics, on various charges of alleged corruption and criminal activities. It is our strong belief that the voters are eagerly waiting to know the final court verdicts against them, especially, the leaders of the major parties, because two very different political environments will prevail in the country, depending on, either their conviction or innocence.
Fourthly, until now, none of the political parties could in unison, decide on: (1) the terms of reforms, (2) democratic procedures for selecting their candidature for presenting them to the voters, and finally, (3) their party agenda for development of Bangladesh. The parties allege that they cannot solve the three issues as political activity is banned under the state of emergency. Voters feel that it is important that these three questions be resolved at the earliest. The caretaker government should, therefore, devise some ways to facilitate the politicians.
One would like to believe that the caretaker government, during its ten months in power, has understood that in order to fulfill its commitments and restore the confidence of the voters it must solve the above issues at the earliest. Bangladeshis, at home and abroad, as well as the international community and donor countries are looking forward to a successful holding of election in 2008, leading to transfer of power to the elected representatives.
THE caretaker government should facilitate reforms of political parties and transfer power to the elected government by holding polls. Turkey overcame, through recent elections, a political crisis that grew because the military and the opposition party had blocked then the nomination of Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul because his wife wears a headscarf. They felt that country's secularism was in danger. The ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party dispelled their fear it would endanger Turkey's secularism. and denied that it wants to turn Turkey into an Iranian style theocracy.
In the election campaign, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Eurodan, Turkey's most popular politician, urged voters to grant him a five-year mandate, so that the AK could keep up the record of strong economic growth, rising living standards and falling inflations. Erodan said, "God willing, Turkey is going to be brighter with AK party's "BULB" (the election symbol of AK). Results confirmed that the ruling AK party won by a large margin. Voters indicated that they voted for candidates who emphasised on improving the life of workers, civil servants and retirees; while other candidates pledged to advance education and health system and defend the ideas of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Republic. For countries facing political crisis, Turkish example provides important lessons to learn.
Politicians should learn that 'election' is the only means to overcome political crisis and that winning it depends on an "agenda" that raises the hopes of the citizens for an enriched and secured life.
Voters should learn that their votes should be cast in favour of the candidate who has the required experience to formulate policies that can improve their lives.
Now let's analyse the developments taking place in Bangladesh towards elections in 2008.
The Chief Adviser's efforts are widely appreciated both at home and abroad for restructuring the Election Commission (EC) and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for holding "free, fair and impartial" polls by December 2008.
Media reports state that 10 per cent work on making a fresh voter list with national photo identity (ID) cards has been completed and that the remaining 90 per cent will be completed in time. The caretaker government has also declared that the local government bodies' polls will be held before the national elections. These are positive signs and citizens expect that democracy will be restored.
Why are voters, then, feeling so non-chalant about the upcoming election? The voters don't feel that environment is yet conducive for the elections. They also feel that for holding the polls in the future, various factors should be resolved on a priority basis. Let's discuss those point by point: -
First, on the issue of voter registration, the people feel that the Election Commission (EC) needs to clarify: (A) as to whether they will publish the fully completed 'Voter List' for public scrutiny and how will an eligible voter, if left out, get registered and get his ID card; and (B) what the eligibility and registration process are for the non-resident Bangladeshis.
Secondly, on the issue of its dialogue with political parties, voters feel that EC needs to clarify what would be its course of action, if, (1) the dialogues with the politicians are not fruitful or are particularly fruitful or if (2) the two major parties insist that their party chiefs, not yet convicted, be released for a while and be allowed to join the discussion as they are unable to decide for themselves. Voters wonder if the EC members are prepared to overcome such hurdles?
Thirdly, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed cases against the leaders, the senior politicians, businessmen and bureaucrats affiliated with politics, on various charges of alleged corruption and criminal activities. It is our strong belief that the voters are eagerly waiting to know the final court verdicts against them, especially, the leaders of the major parties, because two very different political environments will prevail in the country, depending on, either their conviction or innocence.
Fourthly, until now, none of the political parties could in unison, decide on: (1) the terms of reforms, (2) democratic procedures for selecting their candidature for presenting them to the voters, and finally, (3) their party agenda for development of Bangladesh. The parties allege that they cannot solve the three issues as political activity is banned under the state of emergency. Voters feel that it is important that these three questions be resolved at the earliest. The caretaker government should, therefore, devise some ways to facilitate the politicians.
One would like to believe that the caretaker government, during its ten months in power, has understood that in order to fulfill its commitments and restore the confidence of the voters it must solve the above issues at the earliest. Bangladeshis, at home and abroad, as well as the international community and donor countries are looking forward to a successful holding of election in 2008, leading to transfer of power to the elected representatives.