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Bangladeshi Voters In The Thorn Of a Dilemma

Badrul Islam - 11/23/2006

Thirty-five years passed since Bangladesh became independent and yet our elected Representatives, have failed to provide for the Voters, their Constitutional right for "Democratic Government" and an "Electoral Body" that will formulate procedures for a "Free and Fair Election". Today the Voters find themselves in "the horns of a dilemma" in respect of three major points; (1) will there be an Election? (2) Will they be able to Vote? (3) Will they be able to trust their elected Representatives, collectively (in power and in opposition) to follow democratic principles to the letter, in formulating policies that will assure them of an enriched and secured life?

The "dilemma" is directly attributed to the recent failure of the "Dialogue" between the AL and BNP, mainly due the lack of political will, wisdom, and strategy; and indirectly to the CTG system, which is not free from weaknesses as the Voters and Political parties are now witnessing. However, the Voters find it pathetic and difficult to comprehend that that their elected Representatives as Leaders and Political activists: (1) lack human qualities and feelings, (2) that in utter disregard to human life and sufferings, adopts undemocratic methods to settle their disputes, (3) that without consent from Voters (through a simple "YES" and "NO" poll system) opted directly for a programme of laying siege and blockade paralyzing the Country, (5) in the street battles, against each other, its Bengalis killing the Bengalis and (4) when all the "Hullabaloo" is over, the Voters have to vote from amongst these Representatives.

In his article," Strange indeed is this land"(Daily Star issue July
2,2006) Shahnoor Wahid states, "Then we have this special breed of people
who go about doing business of politics as they are not good at
anything else. Strangely enough, these self-proclaimed people's leaders or
netas in Bengali are always asking for people's blood! They goad others to
lay down their lives so that they may go to power and buy brand new
duty-free cars".

The "dilemma" for the Citizens continues, as Elections must be held for
Bangladesh to be continuing to remain within the frame of Democracy.
Meanwhile, concrete solutions have, NOT, yet been found. The ten member
Advisers are facing compounding problems, but, as reported in all TV
channels, they have jointly submitted to the President/CA their
recommendations and now "Its only the President " who will decide-and that's
the major weakness of the CTG system; whereas, if the Election Commission
was strengthened and made a completely independent Institution, the
President couldn't negate the decision of the CEC.


However, still the closed-door meetings are on, and its hoped something
concrete will result and we are due to hear a Presidential speech,
which will definitely contain the solutions to the political crisis. In my
previous article (Professionalism and Ethics will solve the present
Political crisis) I had stresses on the point that, " Leading is about
serving its Citizen" and that as individuals they cannot be expert in
everything. Therefore, in any negotiations a total win-win is not possible.
" 0bjective should be agreement and not victory" and neither party
should feel embarrassed or beaten. They will be "unconditionally
constructive" and be respectful to the individual's right to differ and be
receptive to alternatives.

In the most recent interview to NTV channel, (2100 hrs dated Nov.20,
2006) at PID, Adviser Mahbubul Alam, in the presence of two other
Advisers, had informed that the Nation could expect within the next 24 to 48
hours "a good news", in respect of the crisis from the CEC side. He
further clarified that three Advisers, as representatives of the
President, had met the CEC and placed a proposal, which he will duly, consider
and accordingly decide his course of action. He also informed about the
formation of two Committes: (1) one Committee will supervise the Law
and order situation, specially in recovery of unauthorized arms that is
now in possessions of unscrupulous people within the country and (2) the
second Committee will supervise activities to ensure smooth flight for
the intendings 48 thousand Hajis.

Lets pray for wisdom to prevail, amongst all those who are
negotiating, for democracy and specially the President, who, by virtue of his
position, is currently the most powerful Administrator now; but hopefully
as Citizen first, and President next, he will remain morally obliged not
to jeopardize the peace for Citizens.