Govt mulls full lifting of ban on indoor politics

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Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday said the government is considering lifting restrictions on indoor politics countrywide and gradually relaxing the state of emergency depending on ‘needs and circumstances’.

Addressing the nation on the first anniversary of the military-backed caretaker government in office, he said his administration would soon take steps to open dialogue with the political parties in line with the decision taken at the advisory council’s meeting Thursday.

“I hope the political parties will use this situation to be democratic and free of corruption. The sooner it happens the better,” said Fakhruddin.

In his speech, he outlined the steps and achievements of the government since taking over on January 12 last year.

“We hope the government, Election Commission and the political parties will hold discussions between themselves to pave the way for an ascent to democracy,” he added.

“I want to clearly state that we remain committed to holding the national election by December 2008 and if possible even earlier,” said the chief adviser, who in his maiden address to the nation on January 21 last year pledged to have the stalled ninth parliamentary election held as early as possible.

“The government has been trying to create a level playing field for everyone so the election is free, fair and acceptable,” he observed.

He said he hopes to see a democratically elected government by this time next year and that government would be dedicated to meeting the basic needs of the people.

Calling on the political parties to establish honest and competent leadership at all levels, Fakhruddin said, “According to your wishes, we will surely hold an election acceptable to all, free from terrorism and influence of black money and muscle power.”

“Such a spontaneous transition is rare in the history of the world. But we are going to do that because we believe democracy has no alternative,” the chief adviser noted.

President Iajuddin Ahmed, who was forced to step down as the chief adviser along with 10 other advisers, declared the state of emergency on January 11.

The next day, former Bangladesh Bank governor Fakhruddin Ahmed was sworn in as the chief adviser to head the caretaker government.

The new caretaker government slapped a ban on indoor politics on March 7. The curbs were lifted on September 10 but only for the capital.

Political parties have long been calling for a complete withdrawal of restrictions on politics. Besides, they have been asking the government to open dialogue with them to clear doubts over the conduct of polls according to the roadmap.

In his address last night, the chief adviser repeatedly said the election would be held within the time envisaged in the Election Commission’s electoral roadmap.

He termed 2008 most crucial in the nation’s history as the year would mark a transition to a genuine democracy fulfilling public aspirations.

Turning to last week’s cabinet shake-up, he said the replacement for five advisers and appointment of special assistants would rejig the advisory council.

Assuring the people that his government is not interfering in the EC’s work, Fakhruddin said that electoral rules would be reformed once the commission is over and done with its dialogue with political parties.

He said the government has set up Regulatory Reform Commission, separated the judiciary from the executive and recast the Anti-Corruption Commission, Public Service Commission, and University Grants Commission to promote good governance.

He added the government’s anti-corruption drive has been a signal that no-one would be spared if found guilty.

Speaking about the state of economy, he said despite political turmoil and spiked prices of oil and other commodities on the global market throughout the last fiscal year, the country clocked a GDP growth of 6.5 percent due to significant growth in industry and service sectors.

Citing formation of the Better Business Forum among other initiatives to improve the business climate, he said exports and investment are on the rise after a lull in the first three quarters of 2007.

He also acknowledged that low- and fixed-income groups have been hit hard by soaring prices of essentials that, he said, were the result of international price hike, a 15 lakh tonnes shortfall in food grains and the havoc caused by two floods and Cyclone Sidr.

Hoping that rice prices would stabilise over time, Fakhruddin said the government has imported rice, launched open market sales and continued vulnerable group feeding to tackle the situation.

Identifying agriculture as the priority sector, he said the government will import fertiliser and give greater subsidies. He also sought to remind everyone of the government allocation of Tk 350 crore for agriculture research.

Fakhruddin also said the administration has received accolades for taking precautionary measures that kept casualties and damage in the November 15 cyclone low.

He said power generation, development in communications sector and manpower export figure high on the government’s priority list.

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