Politicians doubt reform success

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The efforts of electoral and political reforms made so far are unlikely to be successful as the issues could not be discussed at grassroots level due to the nationwide ban on politics, politicians and civil society members said yesterday.

Under the state of emergency, politicians were under “different threats” that compelled them to remain indoors and prevented freedom of thought, they said, adding that the period did not have a congenial environment for reforms.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Chairman Prof Muzaffer Ahmad, however, said the nationwide ban on politics has been lifted and the political parties should use whatever time they now have before the polls to consult their grassroots-level supporters and make the reforms a success.

The observations came at a roundtable styled “Progress of Reforms” organised by Shushashoner Janney Nagorik (Shujan) at Cirdap Auditorium in the capital.

“I cannot think how there would be reforms…Political leaders are under threats from [army] majors. Thus there cannot be any reforms,” said Awami League (AL) leader Advocate Rahmat Ali.

The next parliament may not pass the ordinances being promulgated now, he said, adding that all reforms are based on the constitution but the very basic rights enshrined in the constitution have not been ensured.

The rate of corruption has not gone down, rather it has increased manifolds during the period of emergency, Rahmat Ali said.

Inam Ahmed Chowdhury, adviser to former premier Khaleda Zia, said BNP leaders who are making an effort for reforms came under heavy pressures from a faction of the party.

“This is unfortunate that the reforms issue has not been taken seriously, rather the term ‘reform’ became a matter of joke to many people,” he said.

Jatiya Party leader Sheikh Shahidul Islam said it is essential that political parties change their mindset and their “conflicting political culture”, but these reforms are not possible confining people and politicians in rooms.

“It will not work if political parties are compelled to accept reforms,” he said, adding that different parties have different reform processes and these processes require freedom. “Political reforms would have progressed much more if politics was allowed earlier.”

Former ambassador Mohammad Zamir said reforms are not possible when political leaders’ existences are threatened. There has been no discussion among people over reforms in the political process, he said.

There must be opinions of grassroots level people, he said, adding that reforms discussed with only the top-level leaders of parties will not do.

Dhaka University Prof Asif Nazrul said political parties are now suspicious about the implementation of the reforms because of some “stringent decisions of the judiciary”, while the Election Commission (EC) is also suffering from a crisis of confidence.

The EC in some ordinances has been given unlimited power to cancel elections in constituencies if candidates provided incorrect information to the EC. It has also been given the power to cancel a political party’s registration for minor slip ups.

He said instead of giving the EC such authority, a commission can be formed to decide on cancelling elections in constituencies.

AL leader Abdur Razzak alleged that the role of the EC has helped frustrate politicians. Holding upazila elections before the national polls and re-demarcating constituencies at this critical period cannot be welcomed, he said.

Shujan President Prof Muzaffer Ahmad said he does not think that political parties are “compelled” to accept reforms, rather these reforms were proposed by the parties themselves but were ignored for long.

The political parties did not have the scope to go to their supporters and seek opinions due to the nationwide ban on indoor politics. But since the ban has been lifted they should start reforming their parties.

Asked if he sees any change in the mindset of political leadership now, Muzaffer said many big leaders have been arrested and tried. “This has surely hit the politicians.”

Shujan Secretary Badiul Alam Majumder presented the keynote paper at the roundtable while former advisers to caretaker government M Hafizuddin Khan and ASM Shahjahan also spoke. Columnist Syed Abul Maksud moderated the event.

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