The New Nation - Internet Edition

Enayet Rasul

The coming parliamentary elections on December 29 was expected to be an unforgettable milestone in the country's history leading to sweeping qualitative changes in politics which, in turn, would set the stage for good governance and better prospects of sustainable economic growth and development. But these goals are likely to remain as elusive as ever after this election.

It should be obvious what prompts this rather pessimistic outlook given above. For the elections are taking place, all right, but after an unusual interval of two years or twenty four months when these elections should have been held--as per the Constitution-- only after three months or a ninety days period after the end of the tenure of the last elected government.

The long delay in holding this crucial election was sought to be justified on two grounds. First, the second caretaker government needed time to draw up a foolproof voters' list above any reproach. Secondly, and more significantly, the caretaker government had pledged to the nation that it would carry out badly needed reforms in different spheres with the aim of improving the quality, character and functioning of vital institutions degraded by politicisation and the sway of the incompetent and unscrupulous in them. Specially, the reforms would be attempted in the political realm to ensure a healthy political culture and system in the country because politics or politicians and political parties operate the steering wheel to run the country in all respects. So, the better the politics, the greater the chances of the country doing well in all spheres.

But as only a day is left for holding the very eagerly awaited parliamentary election that is supposed to reflect a great positive transformation in our politics and political system as a result of the initiatives of the government over the last two years, the reality is very different compared to the expectation. The political parties are the main players in the political system. But there is nothing to show that substantive reforms have been carried out in the political parties that matter.

Voters have hardly a choice in contrast to what they would have if elections were held two years ago. The greater number of those perceived to be very corrupt and even charge-sheeted politicians or members of these political parties have had no difficulty in getting nominations of their parties to contest the elections.

One major political party has only tinkered at the edges of reforms while the other did not do anything notable in that direction. The party that attempted cosmetic reforms ultimately presided over the nomination process in much the same manner as in the past. A large number of those who got nomination to contest the election from it were newcomers or could clinch the nomination based on their financial powers or from allegedly paying off top party bosses to ensure their nomination. The same trend was even pronounced also in the other major party.

So, little has changed. In large measures, the same sort of people who dominated the political process much to the dismay of the people and setbacks to the nation, are once again found jostling to stage a comeback in running the country.

The taking over by the caretakers and their stirring pledges to the nation about a whole new political rebirth, now looks like a pathetic joke under the present circumstances.

The elections seem poised to once again become a game of money. Candidates are even trying to buy votes in many cases. This vote buying spree has been reported in the press. One of the oldest and most prestigious daily papers of the country, reported this aspect of vote buying and selling recently. Other newspapers also carried reports to the same effect.

Thus, nobody expects the parliament to be formed next to be qualitatively any better than the previous ones. Whether the lawmakers of the new parliament on the two sides with their shared characteristics in respect of morality and values, will legislate or take an interest in maintaining anti-corruption activities, with vigour, is deeply doubted by the realist observers of the current political scene. They are more likely to work for the fastest withdrawal of cases against them for corruption and misuse of power.

As for deep cleansing vital institutions, such as the judiciary, the tasks remain only initiated and then given up. Thus, vested interests remain well entrenched in them. For example, the reforms in the highest judiciary of the country for truly getting the benefits of an independent judiciary, were put in deep freeze about a year ago. The very promising concept of Judicial Council remains suspended.

Therefore, the events in the coming months may confirm the apprehensions voiced above. But any reasonable person would accept the observation that good things can be expected only from good and competent persons and enabled and morally sound institutions.

There is a view that the traumatic effects of happenings of the last two years had such impact on their sufferers that these same persons would turn a new leaf and behave differently --for the better-- on going to power again. But this is too optimistic a view and does not conform to tested cases of human behaviour - at least in the Bangladesh context. But from the way the politicians and the parties are arrogating that they did nothing wrong and there is hardly anything to do for self-censure or improvements, leaves a - clue to their potential attitudes in the future.

So, little has changed. In large measure, the same sort of people who dominated the political process much to the dismay of the people and setbacks to the nation, are once again found jostling to stage a comeback in running the country.

The taking over by the caretakers and their stirring pledges to the nation about a whole new political rebirth, now appears to be a pathetic joke under the present circumstances.