In Bangladesh the interim government has just concluded the out come of pre-dialogue talk with the political parties. Meanwhile an important diplomat stationed in Dhaka expressed opinion on governance pattern of the country and the Election Commission (EC) has been involved in the process of restructuring the constituencies. On the other hand major political parties reaffirmed their demand i.e. the unconditional release of two top leaders, who are in imprisonment with the charge of corruption and other misdeeds in their tenure of power.
As a part of road map sketched by EC, the Commission has finalised the draft of election act. In this draft law, officially will be issued as Peoples Representation Ordinance-2008, EC stated that if any candidate provides false information, membership in parliament of concerned person and registration of concerned party will be canceled. One of the Commissioners told to the journalists that EC only prepared the draft, where the out come of dialogue between EC and political parties has been reflected. Now Law Ministry is responsible to review and finalise the Ordinance. As of the draft a candidate should notify the authority a set of information with eight clauses when he submits candidature. If any information appeared as false, the candidature or membership in parliament will be cancelled, the draft law stated. Law Advisor of the government also recognised the draft law and said that this will be submitted to the advisor-council for farther procedure.
EC is also involved in another important procedure of restructuring the area of constituencies. In this process 150 out of 300 are going to restructured. If EC would be able to complete the process, in Dhaka, including Metro-Dhaka constituencies would be increased in 20 from 13. Other consequence of this process would be number of constituencies will be reduced in 12 Districts and will be increased in 5 Districts. Mentionable that, 24 years ago the area of constituencies were restructured. By the time the number of voters has increased almost double. In previous days initiatives have taken to restructure the constituencies, but cases filed by people or politicians in court have made complex the process and ultimately bar to reconstruct the constituencies. However, this initiative of EC is able to attract the attention of people and it is being admired by all concerned.
It is already been mentioned that Awami League (AL) leader Sheik Hasina and Begume Khaleda Zia, the Leader of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) are detained as there are charges of misappropriation against them. Trials of few cases filed against them are also going on. Recently after hearing of a corruption case, Sheik Hasina told to the press and lawyers that a quarter is giving pressure to her to go retirement from politics. She stated that it is known to all that she had a plan to retire from politics, but now she must not live up herself from politics as she is under pressure. She also said that departure from politics depends on people not on any pressure. Her statement to the newsmen has significance to her party men and to the people as well. Observer says this statement may impact on up coming dialogue between government and the political parties. Meanwhile the Dhaka City unit of AL has completed signature collection drive in favor of the release of Sheik Hasina. In a meeting leaders of AL said that nearly 2.5 million people signed supporting the demand. They affirmed that without Sheik Hasina, dialogue could not be meaningful.
On 28th April Government concluded the pre dialogue talk with the political parties. The last participants were a delegation of Khaleda loyalist BNP faction. After a long discussion with advisors-responsible, they said to the newsmen that BNP will not take part in dialogue without the release of party leader Begume Khaleda Zia. They also demand the release of other imprisoned political leaders including Sheik Hasina, the leader of AL. It should be told that the similar demand from both the parties may be a sign of united stand of political parties on some common issues when the government and the politicians will be involved in a dialogue to reach democracy.
In the mean time Business leaders including FBCCI, MCCI, BGMEA and BKMEA urged to all concerned for quick transformation to democracy. Business leaders were also invited in pre-dialogue talk, which was initiated by the government advisors.
Recently, an opinion exchange session was organised by Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Bangladesh (DCAB). Mr. Anwar Chowdhury, High Commissioner of UK in Dhaka was one of the guests of honor in discussion. Mr. Chowdhury said that UK will never support any military interference or military rule in Bangladesh. He asserted that UK will never support any military interference. They will never support military rule. UK hoped that a strong and sustainable Democracy will be established in Bangladesh, he also stressed that there should be a change in the 200 years old public administration.
Political analysts said that the statement of British High Commissioner is the reflection of European Union about Bangladesh. As we are living in an interrelated world order, it is important to take in account the opinion of development, trade and diplomatic partners. It should be mentioned that, the Chief Advisor, Chief of Army Staff, Business leaders, Politicians, Civil Society leaders always assured that Bangladesh is running through a reform process. Bangladesh is heading to a sustainable Democracy.
People of the Bangladesh are also love to dream a democratic Bangladesh.
The author of this article, Kazi Mohoshin Al Abbas, is a Bangladesh based senior journalist writes on issues related to socio-political developments in Bangladesh.
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