Political intelligence office
Thanks to the DS for the editorial today on the above subject. The politicians have already expressed their apprehension about this new undemocratic step. Those who would support the move, at least, do not believe in political freedom and are opposed to democratic values. These are some of the examples by which the government is determined to achieve their original idea of guided politicisation of the country. One would not be surprised to see how a group of civil society members and some known political faces are defending the step. Just add one more news item with it. The EC has asked the intelligence agency and the NBR to check the fact sheets of the elected candidates of the last 13 local council elections. This is another example of deliberate mismanagement of the election procedures, and puts the burden on the shoulder of the judiciary to give the final verdict. One organisation, a NGO or civil society cadre, I do not know, had been campaigning to initiate such action by the EC. The question is, why these groups and the EC did not complete this clean up process before putting their names on the ballot?
The mindset of the government is difficult to understand. They are publicly saying that they would deliver democratic order, but on the other hand, are encouraging undemocratic steps. Healthy democratic environment ensures that the public servants are controlled and guided by the political system and the politicians. In reality, we can see just the opposite. The government is definitely losing public trust regarding their promise to hold general election by December 2008. The EC is emerging to be the main visible player to destabilise the present peaceful atmosphere in the country. The EC' s move to run after the officially elected candidates in the last LC election are nothing but an act of provocation to destabilize the present situation and create a blame game either to stop the general election or to stage a fully guided election with party and candidates of their choice.
We find little time is left to organise a creditable general election in December 2008, but there are enough scopes to create political commotion making the general election uncertain, putting the blame on the politicians as usual. It is difficult to find any positive aspects in governance. They are taking full advantage of the state of emergency. This prolonged state of emergency has undermined the followings, and added few vegetative aspects to politics
a. The normal laws of the land have been undermined in spirit and application.
b. The scope and functions of the caretaker government have been changed making the system redundant in future.
c. The prolonged use of the state of emergency has challenged the justification of the state of emergency as envisaged in the constitution.
d. Political perversion has been strengthened.
e. External interference in our internal matters has been encouraged.
f. Laws have been promulgated without reference to public benefit, but to suit the requirement of the un-elected government to govern.
g. The judiciary has been made controversial by prolonged state of emergency and easy law making.
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