THE Nagorik Committee recommendations on politics and polity were laid out to the people at a function held the other day at the capital by Nagorik Forum. It was perhaps for the first time such recommendations were made by a non-political forum after having elicited countrywide opinions over the last several months. This exercise is part of the political process which we feel should ideally have been undertaken by the political parties. The CPD, Channel i, Prothom Alo and The Daily Star should be commended for undertaking the exercise, which will surely strengthen the democratic processin the country.

The recommendations were a part of the 'vision' document for Bangladesh for 2021, which the Nagorik Committee had put together after 15 extensive dialogues held across the country aimed at bringing about necessary amendment to the Representative of People Order (RPO). The civil society's recommendations in the paper also include such other issues like bringing about necessary reforms in the political system, the electoral process, electoral code of conduct, reforming of the election commission etc.

We are indeed happy to note that no less than the general secretaries of both the major parties have welcomed the recommendations. While BNP Secretary General has said that "no gentleman will come forward for contesting election in the future" if the present state of black money and muscle power are allowed to continue influence the election process a similar view was expressed by the Secretary General of AL when he said that "the dream of independence will be shattered if we cannot free politics and economy from the clutches of massive corruption and terrorism."

As much as we are pleased with the display of concern and consensus expressed on the various aspects of the recommendations by the two, we sincerely hope that the comments made by the two Secretary Generals were not mere empty words. We certainly wish to see a reflection of their commitments translated into real action in the forthcoming election. It is they who can render the recommendations into actions if they have the political will to do so.