For the first time since the January 5 election, around half of the population (53%) want to see the government serve out a full five-year term.
Since February, the proportion of people wanting to see a fully participative election within the year or as early as possible has declined to around 25% from 77%.
However, this does not mean the public does not also want the government and BNP to swiftly renew constructive dialogue. While there is some satisfaction that the law and order climate is not as bad as it was late last year, and there is more confidence in the economy, the public also wants a fully participatory democratic process.
Regardless of their satisfaction with the current government’s performance, some 71.5% of the public disagree or strongly disagree with the PM’s no dialogue stance. This hardly differs from the 77% who previously said that elections without the BNP are unacceptable.
The public clearly wants both the two largest parties to engage in peaceful dialogue. It has no appetite for the accusatory and divisive rhetoric in which both major parties frequently indulge.
Both parties must take heed of lessons from the survey. Over 77.9% of respondents indicated that they do not want any agitation movement by the BNP and around 56% want it to cut ties with Jamaat.
Likewise, the AL needs to demonstrate that it will put acting in the interests of the country ahead of partisan issues. It must rethink actions which limit democratic space and freedom, and as the ruling government, should take a statesmanlike lead in creating a conducive atmosphere for dialogue.
The country deserves and demands politicians to act in the common interest to take the country forward.