True reform

However, the questions which are now in the minds of many: Are fair elections enough? Would the removal of Justice KM Hasan, as the designated head of the caretaker government, and the chief election commissioner along with his three other colleagues, ensure fair elections? In addition, would fair elections alone solve the thorny problems of the criminalization of politics and politicization of crime, as manifested by the increasing role of black money and muscle power in our political arena? Would that also help achieve good governance?

In order to fully comprehend the challenges we face we need to look closely at their background. Many of us still remember the fiasco at the Magura by-election, which was caused by the rigging of the election results and the inability of the Election Commission (EC) to prevent it. It must be noted that such riggings were not new in Bangladesh, and they have been going on since independence under different governments.

Instead of addressing the issues of misconduct on the part of the politicians and their political parties, and making the EC effective, the combined opposition came up, following the Magura by-election, with the idea of a caretaker system as a solution. This clearly amounted to side-tracking, or avoiding, the problem rather than facing it head on. This was like rubbing ointment on the forehead, to use a medical metaphor, for a pain in the leg, causing serious adverse and unintended consequences. The present and persistent political deadlock in the country undoubtedly is the consequence of our avoidance of the problem in the past.

The caretaker government is, in a sense, nothing but a poisoned fruit of distrust -- politicians' distrust of each other, and people's distrust of them. Such an environment of distrust is not conducive for democracy to flourish and take deep roots. In addition, the unelected caretaker system, which is a clear violation of the basic structure of our constitution, is threatening to destroy our judiciary. It is, thus, clear that the caretaker arrangement is not a permanent solution of our system of criminalized politics, and we should try to abolish it at the earliest.

If we are to make our democratic system truly functional now, self-serving solutions will not do. Instead, we must go deeply into the problems and come up with effective solutions. The best solution, in our view, would be to reform our political system in such a drastic way that the elected party government becomes capable enough, and trustworthy enough, to successfully act as the caretaker government during the election.

This will obviously require, among others things, reforming the political parties. Thus, fair elections alone are not enough without substantive systemic and institutional reforms -- reforms which would keep self-serving elements from the political arena for whom politics is no more than a profitable business. Mere changing of the guard will not take us very far.

Elections are obviously necessary for the democratic process to continue, and they must be held on time. But such elections must create opportunities for honest, competent, and committed individuals to get elected to national offices. We, on behalf of Shujan, therefore demand meaningful dialogue, and significant reforms to overhaul our criminalized political system so that people's rule can be established in the country.

We specifically demand: (a) the immediate removal of the deadlock over the caretaker chief through mutual agreement; (b) independence and strengthening of the Election Commission and the nomination of honest, neutral, competent and self-respecting individuals to the Commission; (c) compulsory registration of political parties to ensure their internal democracy, financial transparency and to prevent criminal and other undesirable elements from participating in the electoral process; (d) complete disclosure of the antecedents of candidates, and provisions for negative voting and the recall of elected representatives.

Furthermore, if we are to solve our problems once and for all, morality, public service, and clean governance must become the basis of our politics. We, therefore, demand a declaration from our two main political parties that in the next election they will not nominate: anyone with criminal antecedents, owners of black money and muscle power, loan and bill defaulters, corrupt individuals, and that they will ensure the accountability and transparency of elected representatives.

We further demand that our leaders commit themselves to elimination of the tax-free auto imports and other privileges of members of parliament, and keep them focused on lawmaking, as per Article 65 of the Constitution, so that the quality of our elected representatives improve.

In addition, we demand, broadly speaking, effectiveness of the parliament; reform of Article 70; increase of, and direct election to, women's seats in parliament; separation of the judiciary; decentralization and devolution of power, authority and resources; elimination of corruption; and the elimination of poverty and the growing disparity of income and opportunities. The political parties must also commit to empower the people rather than the elected representatives.

It must be noted that none of the daunting problems that have accumulated over the years can be solved immediately. Thus, we demand that our leaders reach consensus on those immediate reforms that are essential for fair and impartial elections on time, and implement them without delay.

However, we must not suffer from the illusion that election is democracy. Election is only a democratic process, and while it is necessary for a democratic system, it is not sufficient. In fact, our election-centred democracy, which has been empowering elected representatives to loot and plunder with impunity for five years, has become the biggest threat to our future.

Democracy, to be meaningful, must be people-centred. A democratic system, which truly creates a "people's republic" must include the following essential features: (a) free, fair, and competitive elections; (b) orderly transfer of power, absence of any retribution and a role for the defeated in formulating national policies; (c) true power in the hands of the elected representatives, sovereignty and effectiveness of the legislature, and absence of any other centres of power; (d) transparency and accountability of elected representatives and confinement of their role to legislative duties; (e) unhindered political freedom, equal rights and equal opportunities for all citizens; and (f) provisions for separation of powers and checks and balances. Thus, elections, however fair and impartial, are not enough for a true democratic polity.

We further demand that our leaders sign a memorandum of agreement on other relevant issues which will be implemented by the government that assumes power after election. The leaders can seek the help of a committee of experts to draft such a memorandum. To turn the agreement into a national consensus, the leaders will have to take into confidence other political parties.

To conclude, democratic and clean governance are the democratic rights of the people. However, the people of this country are deprived of a meaningful democratic system and good governance. In fact, our democratic system is now under severe threat. We stand on a thin line between autocracy and democracy. Which way we will sway -- towards progress or darkness -- will depend on the sincerity, sagacity, courage, and wisdom of our leaders. I am sure our patriotic leaders will not fail the nation.

Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar is Secretary, Shujan (Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik).