ANALYSIS
Elections 2008: process and product
Vision-2021 cannot be just that – a vision. It has to be realised, has to open windows of opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills of world class, of employment and advancement, of security and a secular environment, writes Dr Zakir Husain
ELECTIONS 2008 will go down as a record unprecedented in the history of Bangladesh politics. These elections is a ‘baby’ that will have taken two years of protracted labour pains to be delivered at last. Women delivered babies since time immemorial. But each delivery brought relief and joy to the mother, a crowning glory of motherhood. Will the 2008 elections be a moment of crowning glory, bring much awaited relief to the people? Above all, will the electoral process be free of violence, fair and free; will the political culture transform into one of mutual respect and accommodation; will consensus on issues of overriding national interest be the norm rather than the rare exception?
It would take much space to describe the long at times bitter and vexed process mixed with mistrust, accusations and even outright slander – characteristics not unfamiliar to most observers at home and abroad. The amount of interest and interference generated amongst the foreign envoys and visitors is exceptional (to be polite). The scramble to get approval of foreign missions was and is undignified; the frequency of their (unsolicited?) advice is no less the object of concern. Let that pass for the damage is done. Let honour and dignity return; and these shall if electoral politics and culture transform; and if in due course, parliament regains its sovereignty over national discourse and legislature occupies the driving seat; if negotiations with ‘development partners’ are not left solely to the civil servants who owe no accountability to the electorate.
If democracy is both a goal and process then politics cannot be an instrument to fight an electoral battle to win and destroy the opponent. Democracy is to do the greatest good to the greatest number. That is a contest of goals, ideals and values; of policies, priorities and programmes. National goals and matters of supreme national interest remain while elections come and go. The ruling party could change but the nation and national goals remain above and beyond.
In the above context, it is good to see the ‘election manifestos’ by the two major contesting parties. These attempts to spell out the directions, with specific time-bound targets and ranked priorities, notably by the Awami League.
Welcome to the world of tangibles and targeted promises away from lofty hyperboles. Welcome the dimension of perspective with Vision-2021 — the first ever.
At last the electorate has something to hold the party to account for its performance, be it in the ruling or opposition bench in parliament. Indeed, this alone will not do the job. But like most goals, one has to start with a first step. The practice and courage to present a vision with measurable specific aspirations should be the beginning of the journey on the road to ‘change’ in political culture; the beginning of accountability in politics — something that remains conspicuously absent so far.
Vision-2021 does not promise the ‘moon’ to the electorate, though admittedly it covers a wide, perhaps too wide, terrain.
But in realising that vision, will there be enough space to accommodate the contributions by young persons educated and trained in the professions and disciplines? They have been sidelined; their judgment and advice on issues often ignored or not given weight.
In a country only recently freed from colonial past, science and technology are essential to accelerate national progress and development — in food and agriculture, transport and communication, in health and habitat, in planning finance and economy.
We live in a globalised world whether we like it or not; we face a steep uphill climb to become a knowledge based society whether we can or not. We are challenged to be running to keep our place in an intensely competitive race with other countries. If we are serious we have no time to waste on empty rhetoric or idle daydreams.
The practice of objectivity and rational discourse in politics is necessary because politicians are placed in a far stronger position to make bold if risky decisions on issues that matter; no civil servant or scientist could make those.
That is why this vision thing yet to be given flesh and substance could be a significant start in the right direction.
Secondly, political stage in Bangladesh has been dominated for a long time by ‘seasoned’ actors; by ‘respected’ individuals or one with great ‘charisma’. I have no grudge with experience or charisma; our culture respects age. But what about vitality, creativity and courage of the young, educated entrepreneurs? It is not one or the other. It is the blend of age and youth; finding space for new ideas and enterprise; for evidence based thinking and choices.
Vision-2021 as we heard is dedicated to the generation of new voters who joined the electorate, the youth of Bangladesh aspiring to a brighter future. They have the knowledge and skills to which many less privileged countrymen are without access today. Vision-2021 opens opportunities to, as well as imposes obligations upon, the generation of young women and men who will have come close to the peak of their achievement by that date. The youth have the right to ask many things by way of equal opportunities based upon merit and performance but they have an obligation to give in return what is due (if not more) to their ‘Janmabhoomi’(motherland). Vision-2021 cannot be just that — a vision. It has to be realised, has to open windows of opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills of world class, of employment and advancement, of security and a secular environment. Often in the past, politics has disappointed; politics and public service have been misused; today the brightest and the educated tend to avoid political and public office.
Fortunately, however, the electorate of Bangladesh is not too cynical, not yet. There is hope and room to infuse trust and respect. The introduction of the young educated professional into political and public office should begin with affirmative action (preferential treatment) to begin with. In the transformation of political culture, this could be a single big step though many more are equally necessary.
A political transformation has been on the cards, for a long time. The interim administration might have articulated that but did not invent. How successful or orderly that will in fact be is still in the womb of the future. Yet, let us not debate too much on the need for transformation in political landscape.
We as a people love to debate and argue on issues real or minor or non-issues ‘till the cows come home’. Let the Vision-2021 lapse into an endless debate; let not armchair analysis manage to cause paralysis of action.
BALLOTSBLOG
Elections and excuses
by Tanim Ahmed
Be it the US-led invasion of Iraq or the military-controlled interim government in Bangladesh, a viable exit or escape route seems to be eluding the actors of both theatres. As the election day draws near, the interim government has visibly stepped up its effort to secure assurance that, whoever comes to power, all its actions will be endorsed in the first session of the ninth Jatiya Sangsad. The political parties, too, are as keen on securing votes as they are about their escape route.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson Khaleda Zia solemnly declared on December 24—a date that had taken on much significance in the run-up to elections—that her party was not backing out of the parliamentary polls. In making the public announcement, she allayed much of the apprehensions about the holding of the elections. However, that did not stop her from pointing fingers at the Awami League. She indicated her archrivals when she warned in the name of the people that rigged polls would not be acceptable. Hasina, on her part, has only reciprocated the allegations. She has accused her archrivals of being engaged in staging a drama at Comilla with the grenades. She has also accused her rival party of trying to sabotage the polls.
Such tone of the leaders of both parties only reminds one of the past elections, where there have been similar exchanges of accusations. One accusing the other of manipulation and foul play is a routine exercise ahead of almost every election. That also happens to be the planned escape route for the losing party. If the BNP loses, then it would have to be necessarily because of foul play by the Awami League and in no way due to the BNP’s failure, and vice versa. There is no such thing as accepting defeat in politics, not in Bangladesh.
So whatever the case, if this pre-election rhetoric is anything to go by, defeat would not be accepted gracefully by either camp. Nor is it likely that there would be congratulatory speeches from the losing camp and promises of full cooperation in the governance of the state for the elected government’s tenure. One only hopes that this lack of sense and prudence would not spill on to the streets or make the parliament as ineffective as in the past.
VOXPOP
‘What will be your primary consideration for casting vote in the elections? The candidate or the symbol?’ Tapos Kanti Das asks people around the Khalishpur industrial belt, outside Khulna
Baloram Paul, teacher
I will consider the candidate first, whether he is good or bad. I will look at the candidate’s education, past records of corruption, crime and bank default. I will never cast vote for an individual who is harmful for the country.
Md Abul Hossain, private service
I will have to look at the candidate’s ability to do something for the people. I know who will work for us and who will not. There is no chance of voting someone incompetent regardless of the party or symbol.
Abdus Salam, carpenter
I will vote for such a person who would contribute to the development of Khulna and will help to bring the price of daily commodities under control. Whoever promises me that will get my support The symbol or the party does not deserve any priority.
Quazi Shafiul Azam, trader
I will cast my vote in favour of the better candidate not the symbol. The one who is more accessible and helpful, regardless of the party, will have my vote. Another criteria is that this candidate must also be a progressive individual.
Abdur Rashid, rickshawpuller
I must consider the symbol for greater interest of the country. Previous governments had destroyed the country although they kept the essentials’ prices under control. But there must also be a chance for overall development including law and order.
Md Shamim Reza, labourer
It has been proven in the Khalishpur industrial belt that no one really works for the labourers. We are poor and becoming poorer. I will consider the symbol only. My father was a political activist and I support that party too.
Md Sohel, tea stall owner
I will see whether the candidate is good or bad personally and the way he behaved in the past. I will also find out whether the candidate has changed parties because I do not like people who keep changing their loyalties.
Hosneara Parvin Khuku, housewife
To me both symbol and candidate are important. I won’t cast vote for any party that had opposed our liberation struggle. The candidate will also have to be progressive. The best combination of the two will take my vote.
READERSPEAK
No meddling in administration?
This is in reference to the news item ‘AL, BNP pledge no meddling in administration: sceptics term it routine promise’ (New Age, December 22).
The AL and the BNP will, however, consider those people to be neutral who support them and do not criticise them. It is the practice of the political parties.
F Islam
Dhaka
Smooth hand over of power
The government seems to be in a hurry to sit with Hasina and Khaleda before transfer of power.
It is for the next parliament to ratify and give some legitimacy to about 100 ordinances promulgated by the interim government.
Why such rush to talk with the two leaders? Does the outgoing government assume the next parliament would be no more than a rubber stamp doing what Hasina or Khaleda might wish?
If that be the case, how long the people of this democracy are to be obliged to elect a dummy parliament — a parliament elected after such huge fanfare called general elections, at such expense and effort?
Husain
Dhaka
Endorsing all ordinances!
Ref: Govt wants Hasina, Khaleda to endorse all ordinances (December 24).
NO WAY! NEVER!
Ashley Cooper
Via e-mail
No politics based on religion
Khaleda Zia, ever so shamelessly, is planning to save Islam, as reported in all dailies, and trying to become its saviour! The very idea defies the fundamentals of our noble religion. It cannot be tainted by the dark and dirty deeds of the BNP and its leadership’s dirty activities.
Please refrain from using the name of Islam in your brand of politics. ‘You can fool some people for all the time, and all the people for some time, but not all the people for all the time’.
Prospective Voter
Dhaka
* * *
Good to know that Khaleda Zia is one of the newest saviours of Islam. This cheap and nasty political slogan always comes from the hypocrites who have nothing else to sell.
This vicious ploy to do business by using people’s religious feelings did not work in the past nor is it going to work now.
Khaleda Zia must not forget that during the term of her government Islamic militancy reached its peak in Bangladesh.
Who will win this election I don’t know but Khaleda Zia is visibly nervous and trying to salvage her tainted record of administration through dirty religious slogans.
She has tagged her fate with those traitors who actively opposed our liberation
struggle and helped a murderous occupation army in murdering and raping their own population.
We all know that the brew of religion and politics is always dangerous and divisive. During the Pakistani period we experienced the curse of politics based on religion. Bangladesh must not go through this pain again.
Akbar Hussain
Canada
Changing the diapers
‘Politicians, like diapers, must be changed, and for the same reason.’
This piece of wisdom has been studiously ignored in Bangladesh. Over two years, we tried to make the required change, but the poor baby still wears the same garment, howling to be heard.
It appears that we have a love of the unclean and the unwashed.
Iftekhar Sayeed
Dhanmondi, Dhaka
Impending elections
The country is holding its breath for the election on December 29. We, the non-resident Bangladeshis who cannot take part in the elections, pray for our country.
Engineer Shafi Ahmed
London, UK
|
Next on Readerspeak
| |
a. No postal ballots for Dec 29 polls (New Age, December 25)
b. No withdrawal from polls, says Khaleda: She warns govt, EC against manipulation
c. Hasina accuses Khaleda of staging drama as ploy (New Age, December 25)
d. NEW AGE OPINION POLL: Resounding nod for politics, elected govt (New Age, December 25)
e. US, UK issue travel alert before polls (New Age, December 25)
f. CEC for mobile networks switched on on polling day (New Age, December 25)
|
MAIN PAGE | TOP
|
|
