People's aspirations
Photo: Munir Uz Zaman / Driknews
The ninth parliamentary polls are scheduled to be held on December 29, 2008 as already announced by the caretaker government. The countrymen have hailed the decision, as they desperately want to see an elected government with the advent of the New Year. They sincerely desire and hope that the upcoming polls will be free, fair, participatory and credible. People will vote to power honest and eligible candidates who will form an effective and meaningful parliament. The new government will hopefully steer the country in the right direction. Good governance will bid adieu to all sorts of misrule, mismanagement and misfortune. The country achieved independence some 37 years ago but the fruits of independence still continue to elude the general masses. Poverty alleviation and 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 tend to lose their interest to invest their capital in our country. There is no denying that political instability has been a major challenge to the optimum growth of our national economy. On the other hand, corruption is our number one problem and is a major hindrance to development. The general people wholeheartedly expect that the new government will carry on the (ongoing) war against corruption and misappropriation. The people of the country want to live peacefully, free from all sorts of anarchy, chaos, conflicts and confrontations. They want a balanced development of the economy and the country. 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 the issue. 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, the political parties have to shoulder that responsibility to ornament the ninth parliament with members or representatives having honesty, integrity, political wisdom and above all, acceptability to the people. They need to put an end, in the first place, to all sorts of nomination trade. 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 and cement the path to democracy. The countrymen hope so and they are eagerly looking forward to them (the upcoming elected government) for good governance to foster a better future.
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