STATEMENT:The Continuing Policy of Reforming Political Party by the Present Caretaker Government is Nothing but Eyewash

Adv. Shahanur Islam Saikot Programme Manager-Legal & Human Rights 

 The present caretaker government’s administration is applying double standard using the same law for opposite purposes. The people of Bangladesh asked to the present gov’t ‘How can a political party be launched when all political activities are banned under a state of emergency?” We want to say that the same law could not be used for different purposes—favoring some while suppressing others. Now we are doubt if general elections would be held within the timeline announced by the Election Commission. In previous President of Bangladesh Awami League Sheikh Hasina expressed her doubt whether the polls would be held in time.

Now we have every reason to fear whether the elections will be held in due time as there has been little progress in preparation of the voters roll. The present government had assumed power to hold a free, fair and credible election within a specific timeframe, but the Election Commission could not begin the voter registration process even after the passage of seven months which cast serious doubt on whether the polls would be held in due time. The ongoing hustle and bustle, including belittling of politicians, of different quarters in and outside the government for ‘democratization’ of political parties would have a draining effect on politics as reforms are being imposed on parties from outside. The people of Bangladesh also believe that some activities, including the plan of backstage powerful quarters to bring about reforms in the two major political parties, Awami League and BNP, keeping their chiefs Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia out of frame, demeaning politicians in general, making thousands of people jobless and homeless by evicting markets and slums, and axing industrial workers, will backfire. They [government] are talking about democratization of political parties. But, it would bounce back like a boomerang as they are trying to impose reform from outside. Moreover it has taken several conflicting steps that will backfire. The masses had many expectations from the government; but their hopes have been frustrated as it has started implementing a number of schemes which are apparently out of its capacity. There is a lack of democratic spirit and values in the actions of the incumbent government. The people have been kept as bystanders while the debate over the much-hyped up reforms has been going on. It would be difficult to bring about any proper reforms, institutionalize democracy and ensure progress of the country by belittling politics.