BANGLADESH: WHY ARE VOTERS NON-CHALANT?
Badrul Islam
Turkey, recently, through elections overcame a political crisis
that ensued because the Military and the Opposition secular
Party, both, blocked the nomination of its Foreign Minister,
Abdullah Gul, whose wife wears a headscarf. They felt that country's
secularism was in danger. The ruling Islamist-oriented Justice and
Development (AK) Party refuted this claim and also denied that it
wants to turn Turkey into an Iranian style theocracy. In the
Election campaign Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Eurodan, Turkey's
most popular politician, urged voters to grant him a fresh five-year
mandate, "to continue the AK's record of strong economic growth,
rising living standards and falling inflations". Erodan said "God
willing, Turkey is going to be brighter with AK party's "BULB"(the
Election symbol of AK). Results confirmed that the ruling AK party
won by a large margin. Voters indicated that they voted for
Candidates who emphasized on improving the life of workers, Civil
servants and retirees; while others for Candidates who realized the
importance of Education and Health system and defend the founder of
the Republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturks's ideas.
Bangladesh Citizens have an important lesson to learn from this
above information.
1. Politicians should learn that `Elections' is the only means
to overcome political crisis and that winning it depends on
an "Agenda" that raises the hopes of the Citizen for an enriched and
secured life.
2. Voters should learn that their votes should be cast in favor
of the Candidate who would have the required experience to formulate
educational, health, agricultural and other service system that
improve the lives of Voters.
Now lets analyze the developments taking place in Bangladesh towards
Elections 2008.
The Chief Adviser's efforts is widely appreciated both at home and
abroad for restructuring the Election Commission (EC) and
the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for holding a " Free, Fair and
Impartial" Election in December 2008. Media reports states that 10
per cent work on voter list including issue of voter I.D.Card has
been completed and that the remaining 90 percent will be completed
in good time. The Care Taker Government (CTG) has also declared that
Local Government bodies' elections will be held prior to National
Elections. These are positive signs and Citizens are hopeful that
Democracy will be re-established.
Why are Voters, then, feeling so non-chalant about this upcoming
Election??
My research done over the last month reveals that the Voters don't
feel that environment for Elections are yet very conducive and that
for such, to happen in the future, various factors need to be
resolved on a priority basis. Lets discuss those point by point: -
First, on the issue of Voters registration, Voters feel that EC
needs to clarify:-(A) as to whether they will publish the fully
completed Voter List for public scrutiny and how will an eligible
Voter, if left out, get registered with ID Card and (B) about the
eligibility and registration process for the non-resident
Bangladeshis abroad.
Secondly, on the issue of its dialogue with Political Parties,
Voters feel that EC needs to clarify, what would be their course of
action, if, (1) the dialogues with the Politicians are not fruitful
or half fruitful or if (2) both the two major Parties surprises the
EC, by insisting that their party chiefs (not yet convicted) be
released for a while and be allowed to join the discussion as they
are unable to decide for themselves. Voters wonder if the EC Members
are prepared to overcome such hurdles??
Thirdly, the ACC has filed cases against the Leaders, the senior
politicians, businessmen and bureaucrats affiliated with politics,
on various charges of alleged corruption and criminal activities.
It is my strong belief that Voters are eagerly waiting to know the
final verdicts from the courts against them, especially, of the
Leaders of the major parties, because two very different political
environments will exist in the country, depending on, either their
conviction or innocence.
Fourthly, till date, none of the political Parties could in unison,
decide on: - (1) the terms of internal reforms, (2) democratic
procedures for selecting their candidature for presenting them to
the Voters and finally, (3) their party agenda for development of
Bangladesh. The Parties allege that they cannot solve these three
points as under SOE political activity is banned. Voters feel that
it is important that these three points be resolved at the earliest
and therefore the CTG must device some procedures to facilitate the
politicians.
In conclusion, I wish to believe that CTG during its ten months
experience (January- October 2007) have very well understood that in
order to fulfill its commitments and restore the confidence of the
Voters it must finalize the above mentioned four points at the
earliest. Bangladeshis, at home and abroad including the
International Community and Donor countries are looking forward to a
successful Election in 2008, leading to transfer of power to the
Elected Representatives; and that's the hallmark to a legitimate
Government. Welcome to the land of Democracy.
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