Politics of power grabbing

When we go to Khaleda Zia or Sheikh Hasina with our problems, they tell us that there is no Bangla Bhai and no price hike. When the whole country grinds to a halt because of electricity shortage, they tell us everything is fine! We have democracy in our country, but they don't practice that in their parties and they deliberately destroy our democratic institutions. We have a constitution, but they don't obey it. We have over 140 million people, but they don't respect our opinion. We have elections, but they never accept the results. We have a parliament, but they don't attend it. So what are they for? Why do we keep voting for these people and keep requesting them and urging them to come and solve our problems when they have made it absolutely clear to us that they are not interested in our affairs?

By refusing to get involved with us and address our problems, Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina have inadvertently made themselves obsolete. All we have to do now is to finish the job the two ladies themselves have started. So let us forget them forever. And for heaven's sake, people, stop killing each other by taking sides with the two parties which are essentially two sides of the same coin. Just imagine how spectacular it would be if one day all the AL and BNP supporters unite together and say enough is enough.
Azad Miah, Oldham

UK

We are in a deep crisis now, which is threatening our parliamentary democracy. But to the best of my knowledge, the two major parties are doing nothing to save democracy. They don't see anything beyond their own interests.
Kazi Syful Islam, University of Dhaka

In these days of political turmoil, one of the most controversial issues is the existing voter list, which is just an update of the voter list prepared in 2001 during the AL period. Because of legal bindings, the Election Commission had no other alternative but to update the voter list of 2001 although as per NDI's findings there were 7.5 million duplicated names in the 2001 voter list. Naturally any update of the same would carry the said 7.5 million voters and exactly that has happened.

As per NDI's survey, there are 12.1 million excess voters in the updated

voter list, which are mostly because of "change of address" as observed by

NDI, although a section of the media and some political parties termed them as " fake voters" i.e. false voters. Even a section of the print media

published the news entitled "12.2 million false voters in the new voter list". As it appeared in the TV news, NDI's Resident Director clearly mentioned that they did not term the excess voters as " fake" or false, rather it might have happened due to change of address.

Further, it may be noted that in 1991, the number of voters was 62.18 million, which interestingly decreased to 56.72 million in 1996 and again increased to 74.95 million i.e. an increase of 18.23 million or 32% in 2001 compared to the 1996 voter list. It may be noted that the 2001 voter list was prepared during the AL period. But, none, not even the media raised

any question on the said abnormal increase in the number of voters in 2001, whereas now the AL-led political parties with the support of a section of the media have started to agitate over the issue.
AKM Fakhrul Alam, Siddeswari Lane, Dhaka

As the stalemate created by the action of the departing BNP led 4-party alliance government and the reaction of the Awami League led 14-party alliance is beginning to be unknotted, it is time to congratulate the 10 advisors of the caretaker government who have done an outstanding job. Special thanks should go to the ones directly involved in the complex negotiation process. It would be also in order to say a big thank you to BNP leadership for their cooperation in easing the situation.

It is time for the two former prime ministers to shake hands and say, “Let's get the show on the road and may the best person win.
Dr Habibul Haque Khondker, Professor, Zayed University, UAE

Our democracy has been limping along for quite a while. Our power hungry politicians have not been giving it a chance to make any progress. I have got a couple of proposals which might help the democracy to survive.

First of all, provide every voter with a ID card with photo and set up a computerised voter database. The computerised database is easily updatable and the ID and the database can be used for other purposes also.

Secondly, reduce the tenure of the government to four years because our politicians are not patient enough to wait for long to go to power.

I think these two steps could solve a lot of problems and our politicians and the civil society can think about these proposals.
Mainul Quadery, West Bakalia, Chittagong

There is a limit to peoples' endurance. The situation in the country has already gone beyond that limit. The Awami League led 14-party alliance saw to it. They are putting forward demands one after another and to us these seem unreasonable. Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina is saying it is the peoples' demand. May we ask who are these people that she is referring to?

In reality, the Awami League is losing support of the people with their constant agitation programmes. We abhor "Lagatar aborodh. desh achol kore debo."

Sheikh Hasina is making a grave mistake. By her activities she is losing peoples' support and they are beginning to think that in a free and fair election the Awami League has no chance so they are restoring to these agitation programmes. She is harming herself and her party with these unwise actions that will soon act like a boomerang.

If the general election is to be held on time, the Election Commission has no option but to declare an election schedule, it has nothing to do with the voter list. If Sheikh Hasina knows that people are with her then why is she afraid of participating in the election?

We urge the opposition political parties to shun this path of confrontation. It will only worsen their acceptability to the people and the country will fall apart.
Nur Jahan, Chittagong

The title above is the title of the article written by US ambassador to Bangladesh Patricia A. Butenis. The article was published on 19 December 2006 on the editorial page of a daily newspaper.

It appears prima-facie the article is: well written; easy to understand; substantive plus balanced; and an eye re-opener for the people of Bangladesh and others in areas, as appropriate. It has, among other things, a sharp focus on contemporary election matters. It contains number of advices, either direct or indirect, for Bangladeshis to consider in relevant fields. The article is sufficiently futuristic - it apparently articulates the US position on the country's upcoming election and matters pertaining to that, per se. It has identified challenges, opportunities and ramifications associated with an overall progress and prosperity of Bangladesh and Bangladeshis in the contexts of economy, democracy, poverty, corruption, and other related things. It also appears the article has made an attempt to explore a common ground for a satisfactory resolution of current political dispute based on situational analyses, for example. In short, the article gives, among other things, an impression, as well as indication to readers how much keen the US is, in helping Bangladesh to help it in areas mentioned therein. Well done - Butenis and your team. Congratulations!

In light of the above, one of the challenges now is: how could the content and the context of the article be instrumental in strengthening the partnership and cooperation between the US and Bangladesh and vice versa in pursuits of ensuring a free, fair, credible and acceptable (at least in a general terms) election in the country (= Bangladesh) and a more democratic, as well as result-oriented parliament thereafter, to mention a few.

It is expected Bangladeshis will be able to make a proper use of currently available opportunities in their effort towards assisting the government, political parties and others in election and related matters, enabling them (= the people of Bangladesh) to exercise, for example, their right to vote in a peaceful, informative and decisive manner. In that connection, it should be noted inter alia the empowerment of Bangladeshis, especially the common people of Bangladesh, would be critical to make the government, political parties and others accountable to them in a more solid, sustainable and result-oriented fashion. The good news is: Bangladeshis have been learning slowly but steadily from events and experiences and the development could, among other things, help them to become more active partners in the country's politics and development through the foreseeable future. Let us work for that to happen.

Dr. M. S. Haq, Dhaka