With extrajudicial killings galore, enforced disappearances of mostly opposition BNP leaders and activists taking place frequently over the last seven years, miserable governance characterised by financial scams of gargantuan proportions in state-owned financial institutions and unbridled corruption as admitted by the finance minister himself, attempt to muzzle the media, the country is in a state of flux as the basic foundation of democracy—-free and fair election—-has been tainted by the ruling Awami League (AL) government.
The issue of Caretaker Government (CG) was well settled in 1996 by the then Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in response to the demand of Sheikh Hasina and her allies who had argued that no polls under a Prime Minister as head of government can be acceptable. It is today’s PM Sheikh Hasina who—-along with Jamaat-e-Islami, the party of war criminals—-was all out for a Caretaker Government and raised hell—- to ensure free and fair general elections and launched movement for CG from 1994 to 1996 during which years she called Hartals and blockades for 96 days. In those programmes marked by vandalism, bomb blasts, gunshots and arson, over 50 people were killed and over 1,000 people were wounded [Vide Opinion.bdnews24.com dated 10 June 2011].
Then came the military-backed façade of a fake-n-phoney ‘civilian’ administration whose power source was the Army Gen. Moeen U Ahmed, favoured by “the largest democracy in the world”the next-door neighbour India that had the singular agenda to do away with Khaleda Zia, the chief of BNP which party reigned for five terms in the 45-year checkered history of the country. The military-backed administration [described by Sheikh Hasina as the result of her party’s agitation] when over a 100 popular political leaders—-most of them from the BNP—-could not contest because they were convicted under the Emergency Rule of the Army-backed government.
In 2010 the government of Sheikh Hasina sowed the seed of this absolutely unnecessary crisis by rescinding the CG system. An overwhelming majority, probably 80 per cent, of the people became frustrated and perplexed following controversy over the former CJ Mr. Justice Khairul Haque, who as a Functus Officio, completed his verdict on the Caretaker Government (CG) litigation 16 months later following his retirement. A distinguished academic and former public university vice-chancellor questioned the former CJ’s “over enthusiasm for abolishing the caretaker government system. Can he, without going against his oath as a judge, abolish an amendment that was given effect by the legislature in 1996?”
The Appellate Division had listened to 8 distinguished lawyers as Amicus Curie, 7 among whom opined in favour of the Caretaker system. A part of his short order on Caretaker Government could definitely be beneficial for the nation if obeyed by the AL government as the CJ had suggested two more general elections under CG.
“Salus republicae est suprema lex” means safety of the republic is the supreme law. The Appellate Division did not make the CG illegal for the 10th and 11th general elections considering public and national interests. Contrary to this Sheikh Hasina’s unreasonable will prevailed—-the consequence of which was prolonged turmoil and bloodshed in which many lives were lost. Sheikh Hasina now wants that Khaleda Zia should agree to contest polls under her. What a weird and wonderful argument!
Cogently Khaleda Zia took a principled stand not to contest the general election, which was supported by 90 per cent Bangladeshis as per “OrgQuest” survey which said the people supported her political standpoint on neutral, free, fair and credible general elections under an independent election-time administration.
Despite the farcical charade of polls of 5 January this year, which Hasina described as a matter of mere obligation to go by the rules indicating midterm general election, the ruling AL bigwigs are now showing a brazen 180-degree volte-face shouting aloud that the next parliamentary election will not be held before 2019. This and other conspiracies indicate that the AL government is hell-bent on annihilating democracy in Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, the government invited Sujatha Singh, Indian foreign secretary, who undertook a controversial visit to Dhaka as on December 4, 2013 reportedly to woo political parties to contest the January 5, 2014 general elections.
She met with prime minister Sheikh Hasina, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and Jatiya Party (JP) chief HM Ershad and mainly discussed the January 5, 2014 polls. Though most unwelcome, and detested by the body politic here, India continues poking its nose and interfere in the internal political affairs of Bangladesh. After his meeting with Sujatha, Jatiya Party chairman Ershad told reporters that India had advised him to participate in the parliamentary polls on January 5 warning that militancy might rise if JP keeps off the polls.
‘‘They (India) said if we don’t participate in the election, fundamentalist Jamaat-Shibir will rise and come to power,” said Ershad. Then RAB personnel hospitalised Ershad by force at Combined Military Hospital. However, Ershad, a key ally of the Awami League-led alliance, was ‘detained’ as part of the government’s efforts to force him to participate in the January 5 polls.
By this time, the Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakib Uddin Ahmed earned for himself an unsavory reputation for his blatant incompetence in stopping widespread rigging and most unacceptable poll results by the electorate here. Against this gloomy political backdrop the main opposition BNP chief Khaleda Zia on November 17, 2016 addressing a press briefing proposed a set of judicious recommendations towards formation of a stronger Election Commission chosen with representatives based on a consensus of all political parties, ahead of the next general election.
It is disappointing that Awami League’s General Secretary Obaidul Quader came up with an extraordinarily hasty and by and large off-the-cuff reaction on behalf of his party at a press conference; he termed it “hollow and a mockery before the nation.” We fail to comprehend why his party finds no merit in this elaborate set of proposals which are admirably constructive and will be beneficial to the nation if implemented. We still hope the AL will read the recommendations word for word, offer its arguments and reach a positive conclusion. How long will this futile scrimmage prolong?
Source: Weekly Holiday
