The New Nation - Internet Edition

Hasnat Abdul Hye

By all appearances, the present caretaker government is serious about holding election to the Jatiya Sangsad. The road map for this was announced in all earnest by the Election Commission with the concurrence of the government. Recently, the Chief Adviser in his address to the nation mentioned that general election would be held on 18 December of this year.

Both the announcements gave credence to the commitment of the government to transfer power within two years of the declaration of emergency. Now the Law Adviser has told in public that the current caretaker government will call it a day on December 31 when its tenure will end.

Almost all the political parties are anxious to participate in the general election and are now active in discussion among themselves and with the authorities. Though election fever has not caught on yet, the anticipation for it is palpable. Yet an air of uncertainty seems to prevail. This is because from both sides conditions have been attached for participation in the election. The government wants the political parties to be registered within the stipulated date complying with the provisions of the amended Representation of People’s Order (RPO) 2008 and hold election under the Emergency Power Rules. Most of the political parties have accepted the amended RPO and are in the process of submitting the registration forms. But the four party alliance has asked for withdrawal of the RPO while the Awami League wants further amendments, particularly the provision of rejecting nomination of a candidate after it is declared valid.

Regarding emergency, except a few all the political parties have demanded its withdrawal. The government wants registration of parties under the amended RPO to streamline, help democratisation and to remove irregularities in the parties.

Most of the parties consider some provisions of RPO as hindrance to their smooth functioning and as undesirable restriction on participation in election. Based on their objections, particularly with regard to paucity of time to comply with some of the requirements like revision of constitution and fulfilment of the quota for women, the Election Commissioner has now declared that no further amendment in the RPO will be made 'under any

circumstances. The caretaker government’s stand on withdrawal of emergency has also been firm and categorical. It has informed the parties that while some provisions will be kept in abeyance during the election, emergency will remain in force to ensure an atmosphere of peace and order.

It has become obvious by now that while the government is committed to holding election, the goal set earlier for political reforms is equally important. The caretaker government is convinced that without political reform election will bring back the same politics of confrontation, violence and corruption as before. To prevent this from happening the application of amended RPO is considered essential. As regards continuance of emergency, government’s motive is not so explicit. While it is being justified publicly on