Election at long last

Our caretaker govt. seems to be very serious about overcoming the recent disturbance. So they are providing package proposals. In every step they are trying to prove their neutrality. But it is very strange that their steps are satisfying for only BNP and their companions.

On the other hand, AL has refused all proposals of peace. It seems they don't care for the people or the country, all they want is to win the election and govern the country.

And we, the general people of this country, have no options, cause most of the political parties are joining hands with either BNP or AL. But we have already seen the rule of BNP and AL. It seems other political parties are not realising this fact. As a result, we have no viable alternative to think about.

Even though there is a Caretaker Government (CTG) now in the country, its 10 Advisors are not part of the decision making process as is evident from the media reports. The matter has been further complicated by the fact that the President who was a nominee of the erstwhile BNP government, is also holding the post of Chief Advisor to the CTG. Naturally, BNP and Jamaat leaders have more access to him and their request/advice seem to carry more weight than that of Awami League and its partners! As a result, Awami League and like-minded parties feel left out of the decision making circle even now when the country is supposed to be run by a Non-Partisan CTG as they were understandably during the previous BNP-Jamaat government, whereas, the former ministers have remained almost as powerful as ever. In the meantime, Khaleda Zia is holding meetings with doctors, engineers, teachers, bank employees and others who are employed in govt. or semi-govt. organisations and paid from govt. revenues as if she is still the prime minister and asking for their votes in the next elections!

During the previous CTG in 2001, more or less 1000 officials of various categories including Secretaries, Addl. Secretaries, Dy. Commissioners, SPs, Upazila Nirbahi officers etc were transferred allegedly to create a level playing field for all during the elections. But this time only a few hundred officials have so far been transferred and already former ministers are raising a hue and cry that such transfers would create instability in the administration! Moreover, BNP's chosen officers are left undisturbed at Cabinet Div., Home, Establishment ministries and other places. The entire election running apparatus is still far from neutral. Moreover, reportedly there are 1.3 crore fake voters in the voters list, without deleting whom it would not be possible to hold a fair election. If true, this huge number of fake voters would tilt election results in favour of the parties responsible for their enrolment! Even in 2001 there were allegedly 60 lakh fake voters as claimed by Tareq Zia himself but that election was won by BNP by a very wide margin. In fact, BNP securing about 47% of votes and won 216 seats, whereas, Awami League got only 62 seats in the parliament though they obtained 40% of the votes cast. This shows, perhaps, what fake votes can do in an election!
Abul Mohsin, Siddheswari Circular Road, Dhaka

It pains me to see that politicians are destroying our country, when at the same time, they all claim to be "patriotic" and "working" towards the "good" of the country and its people. The current electoral system of "winners take all" is not going to work, especially in a country like ours. Both parties will try anything including bending rules, organise blockade s and resort to violence to be in power. They know that if they are not in power this time, they will have to wait for another five years to get a chance to plunder the country. I have a solution. Why not bring in proportional representation to our electoral system? Many countries have this system. Under proportional representation the parties will get parliament seats based on their share of actual votes. For example, if a party gets 55% of the votes, then it will be allocated 55% of the seats. In that way the looser, having say 45% votes, will be assured 45% of the seats. Combine that with a unity government concept and you will get a system where major parties (with coalitions) will always be in power. In a unity government premiership and other cabinet positions could be swapped at mid-term. If Bangladesh had this system I can bet my last dollar (or taka) that one would see less incentive to bend the rules, and effect blockades . And the ordinary folks could be left in peace to empower themselves to build a prosperous Bangladesh. Isn't it what the politicians claim to dream of ?
Muhammad Islam, Houston, USA