Starting political dialogue
The Election Commission has announced that discussions with the political parties will begin from September 12. In accordance with the constitutional provision laid down in article 58D(2), the CTG will assist the Election Commission in holding the discussions on reform.
Invitation letters for discussion will be sent to all political parties by the EC. We are expecting that the dialogue will start just a few days before the commencement of the month of Ramadan. The dialogue is to continue till November 29.
The present political scenario does not appear to be at all congenial for starting the dialogue. The heads of both the major political parties are in sub-jail because of various allegations against them. We have no clear idea as to the time to be taken to dispose of the cases against them, or their fates. Politics will, however, have to take its own course.
Incarceration of the leaders has exposed the urgency for reform, particularly the need for democratisation, of the parties. Because of the unfortunate incident of Dhaka University the lifting of emergency may be delayed. Credit must be given to the law enforcing agencies and the army for the patience, fortitude and courage shown by them during the crisis.
With regard to participation in the proposed dialogue, the positions of the major parties will be clear after they finally decide as to whether it will be possible to participate in the absence of their arrested leaders.
The reaction of the pro-reform factions of the parties may be noted. Jamaat-e-Islami, without their senior partner BNP, may not play any significant role in the dialogue.
Jatiya party (JP) may be disturbed by Ershad's ex-wife Bidisha. A closer understanding among Dr. Buddrozdoza Chowdhury, Col(retd) Oli Ahmad and Abdul Mannan Bhuinya and his associates may emerge. There is no last word in politics.
The new party, Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), headed by Dr. Qureshi, apparently may not make much of an impression, but may try to lead the reform effort.
If the emergency is totally withdrawn to allow full political activity we may apprehend recurrence of some undesirable events like resurgence of violence on the streets or public places because of possible disturbances in meetings of pro-reform and anti-reform groups, sudden increase in extortion cases, and continuous street demonstrations for release of Sheikh Hasina, Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman etc. (to pressurise the CTG).
Thus, lifting of emergency has to be very carefully examined and deliberated upon. It appears that it would be advisable to allow only limited indoor political activity rather than to take risk of recurrence of scenes prior to 1/11.
In fact, completion of voters' list is more important than efforts for reform of political parties by the Election Commission.
The ACC should complete processing of cases of all the important accused as early as possible to help the EC to block the participation of some powerful undesirables. The government understands well that it has been able to do a lot of good work (not done, or could not have been done, by any previous government) despite so many odds, like politicised bureaucracy, lack of adequate manpower, corruption, and lack of appreciation by major political parties.
At the same time, it is fully aware that it has undertaken a venture reform on the advice of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. In case of reforming the jute sector, people are very unhappy about the programme. Broadly speaking, the performance of the government in the economic field is not satisfactory.
Needless to say that we should be realistic about our limitations in all sectors as a least developed country. We should not be too optimistic about the success of the political dialogue. No dialogue is fully successful.
In this case, success of around 50% should be acceptable. Enough time has already been spent on preparation of voters' identity card. However, the final product appears to be highly acceptable. At the moment, the EC should mainly concentrate on completing the job of preparing voters' list in time.
In handling the political dialogue, the EC may have to be a little tough with the political parties, where necessary. Even if major political parties do not participate on the plea of absence of their chiefs because of their arrest, the EC may not hesitate to go ahead with the lesser parties. The EC may, however, decide about discussions with the factions later on.
Holding a free, fair, and credible election may be possible with cooperation from leaders like Amir Hossein Amu, Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, Dr. Buddrozdoza Chowdhury, Oli Ahmad, some eminent members from the civil society, Dr. Qureshi, and strong support from the armed forces.
At the moment, the people of the country are more interested in leaders' honesty, integrity, and efficiency, and not in their "gift of the gab" or money or muscle. With close cooperation among the ACC, the EC and the army, there is enough reason for fulfilment of the desire of the people.
The writer is a former joint secretary.
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