We condemn the attack on the National Newspaper "The Daily Sangram" editor Abul Asad

      IS BANGLADESH RULING UNDER THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENTAL SYSTEM?

Bangladesh, is a weak democratic South Asian country, got independence in 1975 from Pakistan after long nine month sanguinary fight . After partition in 1947 , Bangladesh was with Pakistan as a part of Pakistan country but the democracy in Pakistan was not strong from the outset whereas India started its democratic journey at the beginning through legend leaders of nation’s bright leading . In Bangladesh , after independence the democracy was not started properly , the democracy was like Pakistan though Bangladesh fight for democracy against Pakistan . Because of lack of democracy , military was bound to take over control the government power to stable in the county after 1975. During President Ziaur Rahman’s regime the democracy was started in Bangladesh but the democracy was interrupted by military dictator Earshad after President Ziaur Rahman’s death taken place by some perverse military officers and soldiers in Chittagong , the trade city of Bangladesh .

However, after long fight against military dictator general Earshad , the democratic government came in Bangladesh in 1990 . The democratic journey in Bangladesh was started again by BNP leading government . The democratic practice was not going well , because of this reason caretaker government was created for three months by the main opposition party AL’s demand in 1996 in order to hold free ,fair and credible national election during election period . The caretaker government system was going will approximately until in 2007 , but Mr. Fakruddin Ahmed caretaker government continued their regime for two years instead of three months by military support. In 2009 , after the AL government had come in power, they took a bill in parliament to abolish the caretaker government system from the constitution though they took court judgment where court gave verdict on caretaker government as illegal according to constitution but the political parties if they want , they can keep this system for two terms as far as neutral election in concern . Once upon a time AL fight against BNP government to make caretaker government system , now they have abolished this system from the constitution and BNP have been fighting for caretaker government .

NOW question has raised whether the election will be held fee, fair and neutral without caretaker government? Should BNP takepart in election without caretaker government?

AL government gave national election on 5 January in 2014, but BNP didn’t participate in that election because BNP was claiming election under caretaker government. Other political parties also did not participate in the election and AL government is continuing his power till now . Few election had been held under ruling AL government and present election commission such as municipal election, mayor election and Upozela election but all elections were controversial because of prejudiced and manipulation . The intellectual persons and media criticized the election commission and government because of unfair election and international communities also highly criticized AL government for organizing this type of unfair election . According to constitution Election Commission conducts the election and government helps the commission .For this reason, Election Commission was criticized highly for their misconduct.

However, recently the Narayangong Mayor election has been held under this election commission leaded by Mr. Rakib Uddin , present chief election commissioner. There are no controversy of this election relating its fairness, impartiality and effectiveness. We can analyze this election how it had been possible as free, fair and uncontroversial election under Mr. Rakib Uddin Commission where he was highly controversial because of his previous activities as a election commissioner . Narayangong mayor election had been held as fair because of few reasons following bellow :

First of all, government wanted to hold a free , fair and uncontroversial election because government knows this election is not national election because of this reason their regime will not be changed ,even government believed that their nominated candidate Shelina Hayat Ivee is very popular candidate in Narangong , so she will be elected for this consequence government can show that their performance is good ,people of the country like and support their unelected government , so BNP’s allegation against government will be weaken by electing Ivee as a mayor of AL .

Secondly , law enforcing agencies and administration like DC and election related officers do not work favour of any candidate because government wants free, fair and neutral election , and government knows that their nominated favorite candidate will be elected without any manipulation . For this reason law enforcing agencies did not have any pressure to act favour of any candidate to elect him or her.

Therefore, it is proven that free and fair election depends on government desire, not election commission . Election Commission cannot hold free and fair election without government desire .

However, president recently have appointed new election commissioners including chief election commissioner, Mr Nurul Huda, after long days discussion with some political parties including major opposition party BNP who are registered by election commission but chief Election Commissioner Mr Nurul Huda has been controversial because of his involvement with ruling party AL alleged by main opposition party BNP that he worked for AL during 2009 and 2014 election and returned job and got another job during this government time by the AL government . BNP claimed that Mr Huda will not neutrally because BNP gave him forced retirement in 2006 during BNP government time as a punishment , so he will not act now honestly with BNP believing strongly by BNP . On the other hand, CEC Mr Huda said that he will act neutrally with all political party .

We can observe whether the next national election will be held free and fair under this Election Commission. Now can remember the last election commissioner’s activities . Mr Rakibuddin Commission could hold good five city corporation election which was free ,fair and credible election and acceptable to all . On the other hand , Mr Rakibuddin commission held controversial nation election on 5 January in 2014. Therefore, same commission can hold controversial and uncontroversial election if they want . Now question is that how it possible ?

My view is that it depends on totally government desire who is in government during that election time. If government wants free and fair election , Mr Rakib commission can hold free and fair election . So without neutral government national election will not be free and fair under present commission , Mr Nurul Huda. If government wants free and fair election under Nurul Hada commission , the election will be held fair . But government will not want , if government knows that he will be defeated in election . This is reality in our country because all najor political party do not like to transfer the power , all party like to continue their regime for unlimited time at any cost . Therefore , national election in our country will not be free , fair and credible under political party like AL,BNP . If AL and BNP both make a all party government for national election during election time , nation election may be free and fair and acceptable to all . But election will not be held only AL, only BNP government during election period .

However, AL government is now more strong , so they will not give caretaker government or any all party government or any neutral government and BNP including other opposing parties do not have ability to force government to obey any election period government formula.

Mr Rakibuddin commission but Mr Huda Commission may act like Mr Rakibuddin commission to the next national election.

However, in this position BNP what can do ? BNP should prepare to fight in the next national election under any government, after that the election will not be free and fair , BNP can inform the world as election is not free and fair enough under AL government and finally BNP can stand down from parliament and claim another election under neutral government .