The 12th national polls and our expectations

Sudhir Baran Mazi :

Election is very fundamental in a democratic society.

The government of a democratic society is formed through election and that election should be violence-free.

But we have to live in fear during elections in this free country, which also makes the democratic environment questionable.

In our elections, harassment, fights, quarrels, vandalism, etc. are very common, and they end in blood and tears.

We as common citizens do not expect that in any way.

A violence-free election is essential for development of a country and the preservation of a democratic environment.

But there has to be the necessary political will. Service to people and development of a country are not possible in an atmosphere of violence.

During and after the election, the loss of the country due to violence is estimated as huge.

Politics as service to people should be established in the country.

We don’t want conflict between parties.

We want harmony and coexistence at all level.

We want to see a violence-free Bangladesh during and after elections.

For this, the state has to play the highest role.

What is needed is a collective effort of all, a generous attitude, and the government will have to play a major role.

Electoral conflicts can be avoided only through the active participation of all parties.

The use of black money in elections should be prevented. Enforcement of laws must be ensured.

The biggest need to stop the conflict is people’s awareness.

Only if we can stop violence, it will be possible to build Bangladesh rich in the true spirit of the liberation war.

The candidates selected in the election will take over the governance of the country and participate in the management of the country.

If the majority of the people of the country think that elections should be free of black money, muscle power and administrative influence, it is possible to hold a free and fair election.

Elections in Bangladesh are exceptional compared to other countries in the world.

Here the leaders of major political parties and candidates spend crores of taka in elections.

They have made the election a center of investment.

The opposite picture can also be seen in our national and other elections.

Some political parties rich in national spirit and patriotism manage their electoral expenses with small financial support of the people.

As the people have to vote for their candidates, they also have to bear the responsibility of election or polling expenses.

The elections of our country are mainly protecting the interests of the exploiting class, the owner class, the ruling class and those who spend black money in the elections.

Candidates are elected by promising development to the people and after being elected, they get busy with their own development.

But the majority of people have always remained deprived, neglected and oppressed.

In elections, the number of businessmen is gradually increasing, while the number of teachers, advocates, engineers – the professionals – is decreasing.

Eleven national elections were held in the country in its 52 years of independence.

But no election could play any role in solving the ongoing crisis of the masses.

People’s expenses are increasing day by day but people’s income is not increasing at that rate.

Although the fortunes of a few people have changed, a great number of people remain below the poverty line.

On the one hand, the number of millionaires is increasing; on the other hand, most of the people are becoming landless and shelterless and are failing to meet the minimum needs of survival.

It is expected that the twelfth national parliament election will free the youth from despair and will ensure the fulfillment of the basic rights of the people, and freedom of expression.

The people own the country and they have their voting rights.

Therefore, if the election is for the people and belongs to the people, then the 12th national parliament election ought to be free and fair.

A great number of people were martyred for Bangladesh in 1971.

It was through the election the nation can hope to materialize the dreams of our liberation war.

Today’s election is important to protect our freedom, to realize the spirit of liberation war and also economic liberation.

The election of 1970 freed us from the exploitation, oppression and torture of the Pakistani ruling class.

We hope today’s elections will see the heroic Bengalis roar once again against the country’s exploiters, corrupt people and looters of the public wealth.

(The writer is a physical education teacher, Haimchar Government College, Chandpur, Bangladesh.)