Returning to democracy
The general elections to the ninth Jatiya Sangsad are scheduled to be held on December 18, 2008 as announced by the chief Adviser of the caretaker government recently. The countrymen have hailed the decision as they desperately want to see an elected government with the advent of the new year. They earnestly hope and desire that the upcoming polls will be free, fair and credible. The general people will exercise their franchise free from all sorts of intimidation, use of black money, muscle-power and brandishing of firearms. People will vote to power honest and eligible candidates who will form an effective and meaningful parliament. Good governance will bid adieu to all sorts of misrule and mismanagement. The new government will hopefully guide the country in the eight direction.
The country achieved independence some 37 years ago but the fruits of independence still continue to elude the general masses. This is not the country for which 3 million people laid down their lives during the War of Liberation. The ultimate victory of the people, i.e., the economic emancipation of the toiling masses and establishment of an exploitation-free society is yet to be achieved. The hopes and aspirations of the common people remain to be fulfilled. The dream of the Bangladeshis to transform the country into Sonar Bangla is yet to be materialised.
Our country is beset with manifold problems. Poverty alleviation is the major challenge. The solution to the problem of unemployment continues to remain a far cry. The economic development and advancement of the country is being persistently hindered by political unrest and instability. Foreign investors are increasingly losing their interest to invest their capital in our country. Political instability has been a major challenge to the optimum growth of our economy.
The people of the country want to live peacefully, free from all sorts of chaos, conflicts and confrontation. They want a balanced development of the economy and the country having a bounty of golden prospects.
They seriously want to see an end to all kinds of street agitation, hartals, siege and blockade programmes etc. The political parties need to reach a consensus on this issue.
The caretaker government after their takeover launched a vigorous drive against corruption which, needless to say, is the number one problem in our country and is a major hindrance to development. The newly elected government will hopefully carry on the ongoing war against corruption and misappropriation.
The hopes and aspirations of the common people ahead of the next parliamentary polls are not few. It is, therefore, their responsibility to choose and elect honest and competent candidates. On the other hand, if the political parties really want to usher in a new horizon in the firmament of our political arena, they have to shoulder the responsibility to ornament the ninth parliament with members/representatives having honesty, integrity, political wisdom and above all, acceptability to the people. The losing political parties will have to respect people's verdict by accepting the polls results.
The next general elections will obviously facilitate the smooth transfer of power to an elected government.
The countrymen are desperately looking forward to them (the upcoming elected government) for good governance in order to bid farewell to those black days of misrule and misfortune.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments