Uncertainty largely looms over Bangladesh as the country prepares for the general election on December 18 to form the 9th Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament). Political parties cutting across the divisions stick to their demands for withdrawing the emergency before the polls. But the care taker government in Dhaka remained adamant not doing so. Rather it declared that its tenure will come to an end on December 31 after handing over the power to an elected government.
The political parties, during their series of discussions with the government and the election commission, insisted that the state of emergency must be lifted before the polls. They argue that the government should take the initiative in support for a free and fair election in the country. International community leadership also supported their move arguing that an election under emergency would have little credibility.
The South Asian country was taken under emergency last year while violence emerged in streets of Dhaka opposing the leadership of Dr Iajuddin Ahmed as the head of caretaker administration October 29, 2006. Following the increasing protests by the grand opposition alliance led by Sheikh Hasina Wajed, the President declared emergency on January 11, 2007. President Dr Iajuddin also stepped down as the caretaker government head and postponed the general election. The present care taker government led by Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed took charge next day.
The interim administration soon launched a massive anti-corruption drive under political and electoral reform mission, which resulted in more than 200 heavy weight politicians including two former head of the government (Prime Minister) Khaleda and Hasina putting behind bars. The emergency continued in the poverty stricken country of nearly 140 million population.
A care taker government, formulated with a special provision of Bangladesh takes charge for three months with one and only aim to conduct the general election in a free and fair atmosphere. Once the election is over the interim administration supposes to hand over the power to the newly elected government and resign. Amazingly this administration led by Dr Fakhruddin has already completed 20 months. Initially supported by the major section of Bangladesh society, the care taker government has slowly lost popularity.
Finally, the military-backed interim government declared the date for general election weeks back. In his address to the nation on September 20 last, which was broadcast by Radio and telecast by National Television, Dr Fakhruddin declared that the polls would be held under a relaxed state of emergency.
“The government is considering to relax or rescind concerned clauses of the Emergency Power Rules to ensure that the candidates could take election preparations and campaign properly and to ensure that the election would be held with the participation of all in a hearty atmosphere," Dr Fakhruddin announced adding that he wanted 'to assure that none of the Emergency Power Rules would be a hindrance to holding a free and fair election'. The chief advisor insisted on continuation of the state of emergency until the elections were over.
The political parties in general welcome the decision of the government on polls. Though most of them objected the continuation of emergency till the general election, the Khaleda Zia led Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the Sheikh Hasina led Awami League had strongly opposed the attitude of the government. Meanwhile, voices against the emergency started getting loud and clear within Bangladesh and beyond. The international communities had joined in the chorus for lifting the emergency before the general election.
The United States and the European Union had already asked the government to lift the emergency ahead of polls. The US Ambassador (to Bangladesh) James Moriarty recently commented that the December election 'would not be credible if the authorities kept restrictions in place'. Meanwhile, the US decided to send 120 observers to monitor the election process in December.
However, the European Union would not send any poll observers to Bangladesh, as the election is supposed to take place under a state of emergency. The EU mission head in Dhaka Stefan Frowein disclosed, "We have problems with the state of emergency. Because, we have not ever in other country so far observed elections under the state of emergency."
In his recent visit to Dhaka on October 27, the Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma also commented that 'a state of emergency was inconsistent with a normal electoral process'. Talking to media persons in Dhaka, the Commonwealth chief executive said, "We've conveyed our position that it is inconsistent with normal elections. Obviously, it would be desirable for us if it is lifted."
Lately, a Dhaka based human rights organisation has come out strongly against the emergency. Odhikar, which is committed to uphold the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of the people and as part of its commitment, monitors the human rights situation in Bangladesh, in its latest report argues that election under emergency would have little credibility.
“Odhikar reiterates its position that there cannot be any credible and legitimate election, if it is held under the State of Emergency. Emergency is inherently abusive, anti-human rights and anti-democratic and must therefore be totally lifted,” stated in the report adding that the right body believes that State of Emergency as imposed in Bangladesh is incompatible to internationally guaranteed human rights and has consistently demanded its withdrawal. An election, which is the only legitimate way to transit to democracy, cannot be held while the oppression of a State of Emergency is in place, with rights denied, it concluded.
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