We have assurances from the Chief Adviser, the Army chief and also the Chief Election Commissioner that the schedule would be maintained but we are also aware that one good excuse at an appropriate time would drown all these assurances. At this very critical stage verbal assurances without some concrete actions would not be enough. Unfortunately, here is where frustration creeps in. It the caretaker government needs more than sixteen months to start a dialogue with the political parties then how long will take to hold the elections on the outcome of this dialogue is a question that is being asked everywhere. The skepticism is not limited to Hasina and Ershad only it is on everybody’s mind now. We are not sure if the CG is aware that people are blaming it for their miseries and not the politicians. Rather a feeling is fast gaining ground that the exit of the CG is probably the only solution of the plethora of problems that have rendered life miserable. Therefore, it would be wise for the CG to do something so that people are convinced that the elections would be held as per the roadmap. We have no specific suggestions but something shall have to be done. There is lot of substance in the belief that normal economic activities, now suppressed due to many reasons, would return to normalcy under political governments. Sheer accountability would force the politicians to go the extra yard for restoring normalcy. It can perhaps be said that the first step towards holding the promised elections has not yet been taken. Nobody is aware about the exact state of voters’ list preparation or delimitations. Moreover, some off the cuff remarks by Election Commissioners have created come confusion. The primary task of the CG is to hold the national elections. But when an EC says that upazilla or other local government elections will be held first it really creates doubts in the minds of the people.  Professor Muzaffar, the respected chief of the Transparency International Bangladesh Chapter has suggested that the government should immediately resolve the issues of Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia. Whether a breakthrough is possible without them remains a big question.

Comments

Add New

Write comment
Name:
Email:
Title:
	Please input the anti-spam code that you can read in the image.