Political Situation in Bangladesh(Published in ‘The Security' Bangladesh)

1. Introduction.

The very strategic geographical location of Bangladesh is very important to international community especially to US for its business and other emerging political interest in the region. They started considering Bangladesh geographical location as one of the most important geopolitical hub in the South East Asia. To have effective influence in south Asia US always requires to strike a balance between two emerging economic and military power of the world i:e India and China. For obvious reasons US had switched it spot light recently on Chittagong sea port, natural gas and oil of Bangladesh. Of course number of US and European energy giants like Chevron, Unocal, NICO , BPL, Kearns etc are already working here for last few years.

2. Bangladesh has lot of economic achievements with its booming business and trying to change its status from least developing counties. It has shown significant increase of GDP, increase of education rate, self sufficiency in producing food grain, reducing birth rate, controlling population, improvement of basic health care facilities, development of human resource, expansion of business specially garments and textile industry, Invention GAS and other natural resources, Safe guarding environmental pollution by introducing CNG drove vehicles, Unique micro credit loan system etc.

3. Back Drop.

Main political parties lacked a common consensus among all political parties on the issue of general election 2007. This is because of wrong, non accountable , corrupted political practices. Lack of trust, confidence among themselves. Our political parties lack democratic practice in their own parties. In recent past always black money holders, extremists acted as decision makers in the party and in national politics. As such good politicians are sidelined.

BNP the ex ruling party wanted to come back to power without respecting the will and wish of general mass and not bothering the call from opposition. There is no place for opposition in our democratic culture that we had been following for last 15 years.
General mass suffered for last five years for a very high price of daily commodities, electric power failure, corruption, raise of Islamic terrorism and witnessed bad governance with a highly politicized administration .

BNP ex ruling party manipulated and took a whole hearted effort for election engineering before leaving the power on 28th October 2006. So bypassing the opposition and a common contentious they handed over power to president as chief of care taker government . The president Dr. Iazuddin measurably failed to demonstrate his impartiality for holding a free, fair and peaceful election. Ultimately 14 party alliance with the huge support of general mass grew political resistance o the move of CTG headed by president of holding a meaning less election on 22nd January 2007..
International community and general public always wanted a polls that would be held only after "creation of a level playing field" so that the election will produce results that would stabilize the society.

Armed forces, International communities, NGOs, Donors, USA, UK, and European Union had hidden role or pressure on Dr. Yazuddin, the honorable president to resign and reconstitute of Care taker government and cancel the voting on 22nd arranged. And saved the country from a confirmed political cautious, confrontation, street agitation.

4. State of Emergency.

The background and necessity of the installation of the Dr. Fakhruddin non-party caretaker government on January 12 does not need to be recounted here. The people of Bangladesh welcomed the current non-party caretaker government (CTG) under state of emergency declared by President on 11th January 2007.

The two speeches of the chief adviser have made the CTG's intentions clear. Some political parties are disappointed that a firm timetable for holding the general election has not yet been declared by the CTG.
People on the streets have confidence and trust in the CTG, and the actions taken so far have been appreciated by people. It is like a new broom clearing the old debris.
Ordinary people expect that the CTG would clean some of the mess left by elected governments. But the question is whether it will be possible for the CTG to remove all the ills embedded in the society, and within the state's institutions, during its tenure.

Many political observers hope that the CTG will set an example, in certain core areas, that it can remove bottle-necks and establish checks and balances, necessary for good governance, in public institutions so as to create congenial environment for a fair and credible general election.
It appears that different political parties want different things to be done by the CTG, but there is no consensus among them as to what kind of reforms they desire to be undertaken by the CTG.

5. Expectation of general public is to hold a free, fair, peaceful election. A clear action plan in public eyes may be :are as follows:

5.1. A correct new updated voter list with ID cards is a log outstanding issue. Voter list was found massively defective. Involving the local government and members of the armed forces in making the voter list may be a sustainable solution. Issuing ID card if found time consuming which may not be possible by interim care taker government to resolve for time constrain. Then at least attaching photograph with voter list may serve the purpose for this time.

5.2. Removal of influence of black money, reforms of the political parties and De-politicization of the administration is another important demand of the day for holding a free, fair election. Registration of political parties, bringing their activities under some constitutional frame work should be ensured . At present there is no check and balance of political party's activities, accounts etc.

5.3. Arresting criminals, terrorists, god fathers, black money holders for having a smooth peaceful environment

5.4. Reform , restructuring Anti corruption Commission . Amendment of laws , rules and regulations.

5.5. Separation of judiciary.

5.5. Involvement of Armed forces in selection of election officials and monitoring their performance .

5.6. Forming a commission with power of ELECTION TRIBUNAL for speedy decision. They should be empowered to oversee the election violence’s, irregularities , disqualify the candidates before the election.

5.7. Reform of public service commission.