I want to cast a “No†vote
Late in 2008, the present government was elected by a huge margin exceeding 75% of the seats in parliament. In 4 years, this vast majority has whittled down and they just have a marginal lead as per the latest opinion poll. In another 9 months, when elections are due, the position might well be reversed as per the norm of the previous 4 elections. In 42 years, Bangladesh has had the misfortune of being under dynastic rules and their camp followers, except when we had a president thrust upon us for about 8 years. The last caretaker government tried very hard to set things right, but they were not allowed to. Is there any collusion between the two ladies, always at loggerheads with each other and who have never sat down together and discussed national development for over 21 years? They have become permanent fixtures in their respective parties (democracy is not practiced there) and alternatively in national government. Dynasties cannot nurture democratic aspirations and at 80, I have seen most of them die nastily. The next election may possibly be my last and if the ballot again gives me the same old two stale choices, I would like to be able to vote with a resounding “NOâ€. But even that has been expunged from my democratic rights.
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