Election 2008
We understand that the popularity of a politician is the parameter of his or her success. Have we ever thought that “ unpopularity” can also be a big success in the political game play? This is what we are watching when measuring the success of a decision maker on all major national issues confronting the caretaker government. We hope things will change and the chief adviser would kindly create a focal point in his office to inform the people about national issues like election including reform measures. The expectations of the CTG and the bottom line concerning the political reform agenda should be made very clear.
We think the chief adviser would kindly have an intensive session with the Election Commission. We think that doubt has been created among the public about the election being held on time. The unpredictable steps taken by the EC are responsible for it. Suddenly, all commissioners are out of the country, voter listing is slow and unclear, the status of arrangements for all logistics for voter ID is not clear enough. The chief adviser may kindly review these issues with the EC and keep the nation informed through his focal point on periodic basis, say every three months. This would generate sustained public confidence regarding the general election by the end of 2008.Sometimes things are presented in such a way that it appears that political party reform is a precondition for election, and the reform itself should be as per the liking of an 'invisible' authority, and not according to the choice of the political parties following a natural process of the agreed rules and regulations now being discussed with the EC. The government policy or strategy to keep the big picture of corruption in the backdrop of reform is gradually losing its impact on the people. The "Truth Commission" might further add negative impact on the big bill board of political corruption scenario.
The one-man judicial inquiry commission's report on the Dhaka University incident was submitted to the government on Nov. 14 2007. While giving a brief interview with the BBC Bangla service very recently, the respected chairman threw some light on the scope of his inquiry and the ground he would cover in his recommendation part. We do not know the details of his recommendations. But one can guess that he would touch upon the political activities of the teachers and the students. I have no comment about the teachers, but I would be extremely disheartened to see any recommendation curbing student politics. One can only expect a change for qualitative improvement, and that is also not by order, but through mutual discussion with the student community. One can ask me why I say this. I say this because the students are the last beacons of hope of our nation to lead us to the road to democracy.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments