The New Nation - Internet Edition

Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed in an interview with a private television channel the other day reiterated that the only goal of the present caretaker government is to hold free, fair and credible elections and hand over power to elected representatives by the end of 2008 as per the road map announced by the Election Commission.

Gen. Moeen ruled out the possibility of martial law, dismissed the rumour about his becoming president and said the armed forces as always would continue to be part of the government and like other departments, help it run the country properly.

The Army Chief said the armed forces have pulled the train back on the track, and now a driver was needed to run it.

Listing the progress made in the preparation of photo voter list, he said that the work is expected to be completed ahead of schedule. He said he believed all political parties and their leaders now realised that things should change for sustaining democracy in the country which would be free from corruption.

Meanwhile, Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed in an address to the nation signalled the start of a dialogue with political parties with a view to facilitating the holding of elections.

The Election Commission, that has already been reformed, has prepared a list of amendments to the representation of the people law and the rules that it deems necessary to reform the electoral process for making elections free, fair and credible. The list would be finalised for promulgation in the form of ordinances.

While these progresses are noteworthy, it’s logical to take a look at the steps being taken by the political parties to play complimentary roles for making the proposed elections for restoration of democracy work. This is because election for election’s sake would be of no benefit if the political parties are not ready to restore democracy. Our political leaders should make sure that they would uphold the rule of law, and would not put anybody above the law and not return to the politics of plunder and violence as characterised the pre 1/11 political order.

It’s time also to look at the working of the political parties to ascertain whether their leaders are taking steps to ensure the practice of democracy within their parties. If decision-making and election of leaders of the parties are not democratic how these parties can be expected of being committed to democratic culture. Political leaders should take this opportunity also to make sure that nomination of their parties cannot be bought or sold for money.

The political parties should play their due roles for sustaining the process of reforms. Those who would win the election and form the next government should not only uphold but also continue the process. But we do not see signs of change in the politics of the past.