THE nation is waiting for the general election to be held early next year. The present government seems busy in preparing 'controversial' voter list. The opposition parties are pressing hard for reform in election commission and appointment of caretaker government to ensure free and fair election. Correspondence was going on between the alliance government and the 14-party opposition led by the AL. Strangely enough the BNP chairperson was openly declaring her views on the proposed reform. Thus we were confused as to whom to believe the BNP secretary-general or the chairperson. BNP seems not serious about the discussion. And ultimately the AL has rejected it on grounds of the government's proposed committee.

Question arises as to how to ensure free and fair election in an atmosphere of high politicisation of administration, dominance of muscle and money power and inadequate sense of security among minorities, particularly the Hindus. It appears that BNP is in a dilemma. Some of the BNP leaders may be in favour of running the election independently (free from Jamaat support). The other part is afraid of a disaster in election without support from JI. This part is fully conscious about the government's poor performance during the last four and a half years.

BNP has unofficially started the party's campaign for the next election with the pledge to root out corruption, introduction of free education for female students upto the degree level and wiping out the power crisis. It is really difficult to understand as to why the party is terribly afraid of admitting partly or fully its failure to fulfil the election pledges it made in the election of 2001 like (a) aeparation of the judiciary from the executive, (b) appointment of ombudsman, (c)

setting up of Human Rights Commission, (d) repealing the special powers act, (e) election to zila and upazila parishads, (f) autonomy to state media and (i) disclosure of wealth of public representatives.

BNP claims that the government has achieved great success in development activities. Quoting Khaleda Zia's statement in her 2001 election manifesto “no effort for development and people's welfare will succeed unless corruption is rooted out from the state and social life” we may point out the failure of the government to make the Anti-Corruption Commission a constitutional body. It may further be added that the ACC is yet to function effectively. Despite demand of many BNP lawmakers for probing allegation of corruption against some ministers and lawmakers nothing has been done. How can we expect any effective measure for controlling corruption from the ruling party, in fact it appears that the corrupt and inefficient administration may further lose its credibility due to high politicisation. If no improvement can be shown about reducing corruption within a short time receipt of assistance from the donor agencies may further shrink substantially. By appointing foreign lobbyist, it is extremely doubtful, our image as the most corrupt country can be changed to any appreciable degree.

It appears that government is desperately trying to please bureaucracy without making adequate measure to improve the capacity of administration. Simply promoting huge number of employees and recruiting extraordinarily large number of personnel can hardly improve efficiency. Poor management and planning has resulted in cropping up of newer problems. Despite loud claim of no fertiliser crisis, people are not only dying while raising their legitimate demand for fertiliser (Kansat crisis), we do not see

government's sincere effort to solve the crisis. It sounds rather interesting that Islamic militancy has been eliminated in Bangladesh. How can a government claim for a simple solution to such a widespread and deep rooted problem? Has the government found out (a) that there is no link of JMB with Al Qaeda, (b) whether the activities of JMB have not been financed by some foreign governments, (c) what measures have been taken or contemplated to improve the curriculum to improve the capacity for rational thinking of the madrasa students and (d) what steps have been taken against the ministers and lawmakers of the alliance government suspected to be assisting the Islami militants directly or indirectly?

Power crisis has reached the worst point within last ten years and we do not see its solution within a near future. The minister concerned is repeatedly showing his helplessness. So far no sincere effort of the government to solve the crisis is seen. We are not yet clear whether past reputation of a candidate's sincerity, honesty, a reasonable level of education (say bachelors degree) should be considered properly in the process of selection. Besides, it must be seen that he strongly believes in the independence of Bangladesh and is a strong believer in parliamentary democracy.

With apparently little interest in good governance or even not reforming administration how implementation of projects can be improved by BNP? With seemingly no clear idea as to the separation of judiciary from the executive how the party aims at establishing rule of law? No appreciable step to appoint an ombudsman has so far been taken. As common men do not bother about it; the government, it appears, is not too keen about it.

Our foreign office is, as it appears, is concentrating too much on saving the country from further tarnishing of its image. However, sudden appear-

ance of Bangla Bhai is embarrassing, on the other hand by showing too much tilt toward China we are not able to improve our relation with India. As a small country we must strive hard for maintenance of balance in our relationship with these Asian giants.

What is needed at this stage of our political drama is mutual respect and appreciation of each other's views. Confrontational polices are a critical factor for our lagging behind some of our neighbours despite our comparatively adequate resources to move forward much more rapidly. Let the major parties, particularly BNP and AL, agree that by defaming Sheikh Mujibur Rahman or Ziaur Rahman they will not be able to win respect.

As the matter stands to day BNP-led alliance made too many commitments during 2001 election without assessing their capability or the capability of the administration. AL failed to show enough of capability to administer either during 1972-75 or between 1991-96. Though the position of JP meanwhile seems not bad, but Ershad's uncertainty may prove to be detrimental to party's performance. Though JI has been able to improve much of its organisational capability JMB's militancy may have adverse effect on its performance.

Despite open exchanges of blames and counter blames between the AL-led 14-party and BNP-led 4-party both the sides appreciate the necessity for freer and fairer election for smoother progress of democracy in Bangladesh. Both sides feel the need for better candidates. In theology election means selection by God of certain people for salvation and eternal life. Actually in politics we need good people for salvation of the country from the present serious crisis.

ABMS Zahur is a retired Joint Secretary.