The New Nation - Internet Edition

CHIEF Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed in his address to the nation Saturday evening assured steps soon to start dialogue with the political parties and expressed the hope that the political parties would make good use of this situation to turn themselves into democratic and corruption-free institutions. Disclosing a decision taken at the Council of Advisers in this regard the other day, the Chief Adviser also aired the government's plan to withdraw restrictions on indoor politics from the rest of the country outside the capital. The government would consider relaxation or even withdrawal of the state of emergency in phases in keeping with the environment and the requirement. He reiterated the pledge to stage the transition to true democracy within this year in keeping with the roadmap already announced for elections by the end of this year or even earlier if possible. The address marked the first anniversary of the caretaker government led by him.

The assurances are backed by solid work done during the past one year when the government reformed some vital institutions like the Election Commission, the Public Service Commission, the Anti-Corruption Commission, completed separation of the judiciary from the executive, made progress in the preparation of voter identity card and national ID card. The Chief Adviser also made mention of the start of dialogue by the Election Commission with political parties to finalise reform of the electoral law and the process. Giving a run-down of the accomplishments of the government Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed listed the steps taken to hold trial of people accused of corruption, and said that the measures made the people feel happy that none is above the law. He gave a down-to-earth analysis of the economic situation, the hardship faced by the average citizens because of price hike of essentials and steps taken to address those. The damages and destruction caused by successive floods and cyclone Sidr and measures taken to recuperate the losses of crops as far as possible spread over a large part of his address.

The address was by and large well received by the political parties which are for election and withdrawal of the state of emergency although some parties most affected by the anti-corruption drive expressed skepticism. While the draft law and rules on electoral reform are on the anvil, the most challenging task before the government, however, would be to hold dialogue with political parties with a view to ensuring free, fair and credible elections. The process of dialogue started by the Election Commission has been halted by a legal process pending in the court of law about who should be invited from the BNP to join the same. This controversy would surface again when the proposed dialogue with political parties would start. Then again, there is an open opposition from the Awami League to dialogue with the Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh. Finding ways clear of these obstacles would not be an easy task. Yet the government should succeed in its tasks to put the country back on the track of democracy by proving itself equal to the challenges, including price stabilisation, that lie ahead.