Election must focus on people’s interest
Dr. Forqan Uddin Ahmed :
The 12th Parliament election is knocking at the door. We should not be surprised or dismayed to see what is happening today in the political arena of Bangladesh. This does not dilute our brilliant and glorious past of party politics that brought us nationhood and gave us democracy. Thus, the turmoil that Bangladeshi political arena currently faces is ultimately a manifestation of these conflicts, which has been further magnified by the current electoral debates that have caught our attention and imagination.
Voting is the fundamental right of the citizens and though voting power is being shifted. But with this shift or change, corruption should in no way be taken place. In the name of development government agency or any individual by exploitation can by no means bluff people. Those who have become rich by illegal earnings from time to time, they should be boycotted. The political parties and people must be very careful about those dishonest fellows. In the coming parliament election, the honest competent and real patriots must be nominated from different parties. Without one the other can’t flourish. So both development and election must be corrupt free.
Can a free, fair and participatory election provide an amicable solution to the deep divisions that have pushed us to this brink of madness? Can simply a change of political power be the magic bullet that moves us forward as a nation? Historical developments within societies carry imperative information on political order with grave mistrust and frictions. Bangladesh has not proved to be an exception. The coming parliament election should be made free by all means. If there are reports of election engineering by any corner, it will defame our image which we have earned during the regime of Awami League. So, no foul game like election engineering or mechanism should come from government backed by Awami league.
Our politicians have institutionalized a culture of fear mongering by holding the people hostage through, hartal, procession, demonstration and all other political program. If those activates meant the right to demonstrate, I have no problem. But those activities that endanger our lives and property while posing a threat to our fundamental rights is a direct attack on democracy and contravenes the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The unrest and aggressive situation that we have been witnessing over the past two decades are contorting the norms of democracy.
In fact, dictatorial attitude, discrimination and violation of human rights have already sounded the death knell of democracy in Bangladesh. I shudder to think of what awaits us. In the present situation we have to find solutions to all issues that divide us, particularly the upcoming general election, through dialogue and democratic means. All parties and citizens have a sacred and collective responsibility to work for the restoration of peace and calm; let us rise above all partisan and other considerations. This is the only way for the survival of our freedom and democracy. Peace can only be achieved on the bedrock of intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind. If conflict or violence begins in the hearts and minds of the people it is in their hearts and minds that defense of peace should be built.
The master mind of those games are from home and abroad of the country. In the past general people were always treated as toys to their hands and made handicapped. The culture of democracy was demolished by unfair election. Peoples’ interest was always made punctured and disrupted. Always a vested corned used to take over the state’s control and manipulate the country people. In the name of democracy, they were used to misrule the country and cheat people. This time people are now so conscious as they are the witness of many ups and downs of countries history. If the parties nominate dishonest people for parliament election, it will again be a massacre against the dignity and honor of the country which has been earned by PM Hasina. Still now there are some people who are misguided and derailed. There are mistrusts and misunderstandings among the party leaders and there are also people who are not actually patriot. There are corrupt and dishonest people among the parties and these corrupt and dishonest people want nomination to misguide people and to interrupt the advancement of the country. If a fair, free election is conducted and sincere, honest people become a parliament member only then the nation’s father Sonar Bangla would come into being. So, ask yourself. Which option you are going to take. Is it pole ‘A’ or pole ‘B’ or any other? Choice is yours.
Article 119 of the Bangladesh Constitution empowers the Election Commission to hold parliamentary elections. The Constitution gives the Commission ‘reservoir of power’ to ensure such elections (Afzal Hossain vs. Chief Election Commissioner, 45 DLR). Article 119 also empowers the Commission, according to the Appellate Division of the Bangladesh Supreme Court, to even “add to the statutory rules” — an authority normally preserved for the legislature – to ensure free and fair elections (Altaf Hussain vs. Abul Kashem, 45 DLR).
Thus, the Election Commission is obliged not only to hold elections, but to hold genuine and credible elections. In a democratic system, people are the main source of power. But in our society some extraneous elements have dominated the electoral politics. People now want change. Change is inevitable for us. If the existing trend of development is hampered, people will take the hand against any misdeed from any party. So, the enemy of the present development must be boycotted by people and people’s mandate must be honored.
Finally the politician for nation’s and people’s interest must come forward cordially, honestly and transparently. Dealing’s should be very crystal clear. No cheat or funny games to be staged. If it happens it will be suicidal. Fair play is always welcome. Decision must come in conformity with people interest and as per the demand.
(The writer is former Deputy Director General, Bangladesh
Ansar and VDP).
