Analysts: ‘Khaleda’s proposals deserve consideration’

The parties should agree or disagree with proposals placed by others, but if the culture of denial does not change and understanding with political parties is not made, good things will never come, they observe. The analysts made the observations when the Dhaka Tribune asked for their opinions on BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s proposal for reconstituting the Election Commission, the Awami League’s rejection of the proposal, and Khaleda’s tweet saying the government might use her suggestions to make the commission effective. From a press conference on Friday, three-time prime minister Khaleda came up with recommendations that include formation of a search committee, making the commission’s activities transparent, ballot reforms and empowerment of the military during elections. She suggested that the president take into account the recommendations from a constitutionally advised search body while appointing the chief election commission and the three commissioners. Urging the president to head the search body, she said that it needed to engage all major political parties to listen to their issues and suggestions before placing the final recommendations. The BNP, its allies and some other parties did not participate in the 2014 general elections, mainly because of the annulment of the non-partisan caretaker government provision, and have labelled the incumbent EC as subservient to the Awami League-led government. After Khaleda’s remarks, BNP’s arch-rival Awami League said that Khaleda’s formula was “nothing new and pointless.” The following day, Khaleda tweeted: “I’ve presented a plan for an effective EC. For truly fair polls talks on this basis can be initiated. The govt can also use this option.” Dhaka University teacher Professor Dr Amena Mohsin said that Bangladesh’s political culture constitutes in one party proposing something and the other refusing to accept it. She stressed that an understanding among parties is a must for better things to come. Prof Amena said that it is not acceptable to allow the army to enjoy magistracy power. But it is indeed a good notion that the BNP has at least talked about making political changes in the country. “If you want a free, fair and participatory election, you have to pay attention to the BNP’s proposals and a dialogue must take place in this regard,” Citizens for Good Governance (SHUJAN) Secretary Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar said. “You may not accept it or agree with the contents but rejection of a dialogue will not lead to any settlement or cannot build any consensus. Statements by any major political party should be taken into account. Proposals put forward by civil society representatives should also be given serious consideration,” he added. Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman, however, thinks that the BNP chief’s recommendations were not substantial. “Through the proposal, the BNP has again proved that they have had a soft corner for Jamaat-e-Islami,” he said. “Most of the recommendations suggested by the BNP are good, but these are not realistic in our perspective. The BNP was also in power. Why did they not do these?” Iftekharuzzaman termed the proposal for army’s magisterial power during polls an expression of double-standards, adding that the BNP has again proved their weakness in taking a policy regarding a serious issue. Former Dhaka University vice-chancellor Prof Emazuddin Ahmed views Khaleda’s proposals as a beginning to discuss the next step. “Without discussion, no type of problem can be solved. It is a system of democracy,” he said, disagreeing with the BNP chief’s proposal to allow magistracy power for the army. “It is an extreme-level proposal.” Veteran politician and Gonoforum President Dr Kamal Hossain said that he would comment on the matter after he returns from abroad. DU law teacher Prof Asif Nazrul said: “The proposals have two perspectives – policy and legal aspects. The policy aspects can be debatable and it needs time to discuss over such proposals.” He thinks that it is not important to empower the army with magisterial powers. “If the government considers proposals from political parties and the civil society, the next election will be considered as fair.” Jahangirnagar University history teacher Prof Mohammad Mozahid said that the Awami League had made similar recommendations when the BNP was in power, but the ruling party remained silent. “It is our political culture that the party which is in power does not take any idea from any other party … The BNP has brought the proposals considering some political benefits … to gain some strength at this moment,” he said. The ruling party’s response was also a stereotype. “In our political culture, compromise means expressing weakness. So, the Awami League will not accept it at all,” he added. The JU professor said: “We could have strengthened the state and its organs if the political parties worked in concert.” Assistant Professor of DU political science department Gobinda Chakraborty observed that the country did not have a universally accepted and strong EC. “However, the BNP’s proposals cannot entirely be accepted as some of those are not appropriate with regard to the constitution … If you do not respect what others say, it can give rise to further possibility of conflicts,” he warned. “The proposals can at least be the starting point of initiating talks among the parties. Discussions may take not only about the Election Commission, but also some other unresolved historic issues,” he added. “In a parochial political culture like ours, it is basically impossible to hold such talks for their naivety. So, many of the good proposals are undermined for the narrowness of the political parties. “However, the proposals clearly show that the BNP now wants to take part in the next elections,” he said.