Political analysts have found the 11th general election manifestos of two major parties – Awami League and BNP – highly positive for the country's future development, but expressed doubts about their implementations as the commitments are largely appeasing.
They, however, think the Awami League manifesto is relatively pragmatic as the party formulated it based on its previous successes, while the BNP's one lacks clear description in some cases about execution.
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman and former Dhaka University (DU) vice-chancellors (VCs) Prof Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique and Prof Emajuddin Ahmed came up with the remarks while talking to UNB, after the two parties presented their respective manifestos.
They also criticized the BNP for skipping the issue of war crimes trial in its manifesto since its alliance Jatiya Oikya Front pledged to continue the trial if it is voted to power.
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Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday unveiled the party's 21-point manifesto promising to ensure urban facilities in every village and use the potentials of youths for the progress of the country with the slogan – “Bangladesh on the march towards prosperity.”
BNP also presented its 19-point election manifesto with a set of promises, including making democracy an everyday practice, building a vengeance-free Bangladesh and raising GDP growth to 11%.
On Monday, the Oikya Front had rolled out its 35-point election manifesto with various promises, including ensuring the balance between the power of the president and the prime minister, and introducing upper house in parliament, to restore people's ownership of the country if it is voted to power through the December 30 polls.
Commitment and implementation
Dr Iftekharuzzaman said the election manifestos of Awami League, BNP and Oikya Front look very good and positive, but translating their commitments into reality is the main thing.
He said the prime minster, while unveiling Awami League's manifesto, called upon people to kindly consider if any mistakes were made by her government. "I think her such call is a positive signal for politics as our politicians hardly regret their mistakes."
He said there are many positive things in Awami League's manifesto and the party deserves appreciation for it.
"One positive thing I would like to highlight is that the ruling party has pledged to ensure participatory and inclusive development. The development will not be sustainable and meaningful without the participation of all people."
Iftekharuzzaman added that ensuring freedom of expression, press freedom and getting rid of politicization and corruption are important to ensure inclusive development, progress of the country and implementation of the pledges of the political parties. "A reform in our constitutional institutions is also necessary to strengthen those."
Also Read- BNP pledges 10% of GDP to health, education in election manifesto
About the BNP and Oikya Front’s manifestos, the TIB executive director said there are very encouraging commitments in their charter of pledges such as making the practice of democracy an everyday affair, but doubts remain there whether they will be able to implement them.
He said their pledges for scrapping the black laws like Digital Security Act and creating jobs sound good.
He also said that Oikya Front's announcement to form a truth and reconciliation commission to investigate and resolve the enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings and false cases filed in the last 10 years is very positive. "It's a good idea, but why will not the commission look into those beyond the period?"
He also said BNP did not give a specific explanation about some pledges such as to how they will attain 11% GDP growth.
Positivity and skepticism
Prof Arefin Siddique said the Awami League formulated its manifesto imbued with the spirit of the 1971 Liberation War with its far-reaching plans to develop the country.
"There is a new dimension in the manifesto that Awami League has formulated all of its future plans based on its previous success. I think the party's work plans for development of all sectors have been reflected in the manifesto."
He said the ruling party's future plans have also been made considering Bangladesh’s current situation and present condition of every sector.
Maintaining stability and a peaceful atmosphere after the election is necessary to properly implement the manifesto, he said. "I think most of the pledges of Awami League are implementable if a favourable situation prevails in the country."
About the BNP and Oikya Front's manifestos, the former DU VC said their work plans are good but it is a matter of big question whether they will be able to implement them. "We have seen the misrule and anarchy during the BNP-Jamaat-e-Islami alliance's previous rule."
He also questioned BNP’s intention as it placed a separate manifesto with some differences with the one of Oikya Front, of which the party is now a key partner.
"Jatiya Oikya Front pledged to continue the war crimes trial, but BNP avoided the issue and has made people confused," he observed.
Prof Arefin said both the BNP and Oikya Front made some “hollow” pledges such as keeping no age limit for government jobs and introducing unemployment allowance for the educated jobless persons above the age of 30 to attract people, but they did not give any explanation about their implementation.
Prof Emajuddin Ahmed said BNP and Oikya Front pledge to spend 5% each of GDP for the education and health sectors.
"I think it's a very positive initiative to ensure quality education and good health for people. I found most of the pledges highly positive and the country's fate will be changed drastically if 60% of those are implemented," he added.
He also thinks checking corruption and removing politicization, nepotism and strengthening the democratic institutions are a must to implement the pledges.
Prof Emajuddin, however, declined to make any comment on the ruling party's manifesto as he still did not go through it.
